The first two rounds of the Guinness Six Nations were full of thrills, spills and everything in between and that translated to two fascinating rounds of Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby.
Ireland dominated Wales to end their barren spell in Cardiff before overcoming France to assert themselves as the true world number one side, while Scotland finally won their opening two matches for the first time in the Six Nations era – last doing so in 1996.
It was a mixed start to the Championship for both reigning champions France and England, who both defeated Italy, but suffered defeats against Ireland and Scotland respectively.
Meanwhile there is work to do for Italy and Wales, who both came out on the wrong side of defeats in their opening matches.
But who were the top scoring fantasy performers in the opening two rounds?
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland – 157.6 points)
Unsurprisingly the top performer in the opening two rounds has been Scotland’s powerful winger Duhan van der Merwe, who terrorised Twickenham in Round 1, before a similarly physical outing at BT Murrayfield against Wales.
He has racked up 253 metres, scored two tries, assisted one and earned one Player of the Match award to earn an average of 78.8 points per match and make him a must-have for Round 3.
Finn Russell (Scotland – 143.6 points)
Such has been the form of Scotland this Championship that the top two players are part of Gregor Townsend’s men, with Finn Russell bossing proceedings at Twickenham before assisting for three tries in Scotland’s 35-7 victory over Wales last week.
Another with a Player of the Match award to his name – Russell’s kicking has also been impressive, nailing three penalties and five conversions, as well as 50:22 and 158 metres made – more than any other fly-half.
Hugo Keenan (Ireland – 138.2 points)
Hugo Keenan has put himself forward as the best full-back in the world with two performances of the highest order.
No player has made more metres than his 292 so far this Championship, while he too has a Player of the Match award, a try scored and a 50:22 and is surely going to be a man in demand for the remaining three rounds.
Kyle Steyn (Scotland – 129.8 points)
Yet another Scotland player finds themselves at the very top of the fantasy performers this season, as Kyle Steyn, fresh from his brace in Edinburgh last week is the third Scotland back among the top four players.
As shown by his price rise from 13.6 stars to 15.3 stars as it is now, Steyn is the cheapest player among the top five with 129 metres carried, five line-breaks, one dominant tackle and one assist to add to his two tries and make him a hugely valuable asset up to this point.
Caelan Doris (Ireland – 129.4 points)
Another Ireland star, and the first forward on the list, Doris capped off two outstanding performances in the first two rounds with the Player of the Match award against France.
His ball-carrying is there for all to see, making 163 metres, comfortably more than Sebastian Negri in second, while his try and assist, 24 tackles and two turnovers won show he is capable of doing it all.
Matt Fagerson (Scotland – 129 points)
Just edged out by Doris is another forward, and another Scotland star, with No.8 Matt Fagerson hugely impressive on both sides of the ball in the opening two rounds.
Fagerson was incredible in defence in Round 1, notching up 26 tackles, before an all-round great performance in Round 2, with only Finn Russell’s genius denying him a sure-fire Player of the Match award, after a try and 19 more tackles – taking his total to 45 for the Championship (nobody has more.)
James Lowe (Ireland – 116.2 points)
The only player in the Championship so far to have scored in both matches, James Lowe has continued from his sensational form a year ago, where he finished joint-top try scorer with three tries.
Now already well on his way to that total or better this year, Lowe has two tries, 207 metres made, 10 tackles made and two turnovers won to his name and he is definitely one to keep a strong eye on.
Thibaud Flament (France – 111 points)
Incredibly, France’s first player comes in at eighth on the list, and it is second row Thibaud Flament who flies the France flag after his excellent start to the Guinness Six Nations.
His try in Round 1, combined with an incredible 96 metres (only Ollie Chessum has more at second row), a lineout steal, a turnover won and an astounding 43 tackles (second overall), Flament has been one of the outstanding players in the Championship so far.
Lewis Ludlam (England – 102.4 points)
England’s only player in this list is Lewis Ludlam, with the England flanker making the No.6 jersey his own in Steve Borthwick’s first two matches in charge.
His try assist for Max Malins’ second try at Twickenham caught the eye the most, but having made 102 metres, 25 tackles (of which four were dominant), one line-break and one breakdown steal, it is clear to see he is the pick of the England players so far.
Damian Penaud (France – 102 points)
A player many may be shocked to see so far down the list, such has been the form of Damian Penaud over the past two Championships, but his consistency still sees him in tenth.
He scored one of the great Guinness Six Nations tries against Ireland in Dublin, and has made 191 metres (sixth overall) from just 15 carries, breaking through 15 tackles in the process (behind only Duhan van der Merwe and Ange Capuozzo) showing that more points are likely to follow.
