The Guinness Six Nations is fast approaching, which can mean only one thing – it’s fantasy rugby time.
The 2022 Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby game has launched, so it’s time to start planning your team with the opening player values now released.
In what promises to be one of the most open and competitive Championships in living memory, it may be difficult to decide between certain players, so we take you through the most expensive players in the game, as well as looking at some potential bargains.
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Full-Back
It is no surprise that the most expensive full-back in the game is Scotland’s record try scorer and captain, Stuart Hogg.
The flying No.15 scored two tries in last year’s Championship, as well as slotting six conversions, which made him the sixth top scorer in the Championship. If you want to select Hogg though, he will set you back a whopping 18 stars.
Other options that could be in many fantasy teams are Wales’ Liam Williams and Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, who are both likely to be essential cogs to their respective sides and both cost 15 stars.
And if you’re hunting a bargain, perhaps look no further than England’s incredibly talented Freddie Steward, who despite not yet featuring in a Guinness Six Nations match did score twice in the Autumn Nations Series and looks good value at 13 stars.
Wingers
Again, it is no surprise to see that the most expensive wingers in the game this year are some of the best performers from a year ago.
It will cost 17 stars to have Welsh try machine Josh Adams in one of your wing spots, while his Welsh teammate Louis Rees-Zammit costs a tad less at 16 stars.
Last year’s top try scorer Duhan van der Merwe also comes in at 16 stars, as does French flyer Teddy Thomas.
Italy winger Monty Ioane could be a shrewd investment at 15 stars after his eye-catching Championship in 2021 and a potential bargain could be Ireland’s Jordan Larmour, who would set you back just 12 stars.
Centres
Often one of the toughest positions to choose due to the number of quality centres in the Guinness Six Nations, the midfielders this year are jam-packed with raw talent.
Henry Slade is the game’s most expensive centre, costing 17 stars, after a stellar Autumn Nations Series that really caught the eye and a potential switch inside to No.12 from his usual 13 role in the offing.
He costs marginally more than a whole group of 16 star centres, Welshman Jonathan Davies, French duo Virimi Vakatawa and Gael Fickou and Ireland’s Gary Ringrose.
With Owen Farrell out injured and Manu Tuilagi not yet fit, it seems that Joe Marchant could emerge as a must-have bargain option at 13 stars, unless you believe his young Harlequins teammate Luke Northmore (9 stars) will be Eddie Jones’ choice at 13.
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Fly-half
Another position that is extremely difficult to choose, fly-halves can often be the key position in fantasy due to those extra kicking points.
Last year’s top points scorer Johnny Sexton, the fourth top points scorer Finn Russell and French superstar Romain Ntamack are all 17 stars, while England’s new fly-half sensation Marcus Smith is tempting value at 15 stars.
At a seemingly low start point of 14 stars is Wales captain for the Championship Dan Biggar, who was the third top points scorer in last season’s Guinness Six Nations, while Italy talisman Paolo Garbisi is even better value at 12 stars.
Scrum-half
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year and 2020 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship, Antoine Dupont, is unsurprisingly the most expensive player in fantasy Guinness Six Nations rugby 2022.
He will cost you 19 stars, but his try-scoring, assisting, creativity and all-action performances are a real temptation which could leave you looking for bargains elsewhere.
If the price of Dupont puts you off, there are still plenty of options as Ben Youngs comes in at 15 stars, while Ali Price, Conor Murray and Gareth Davies all cost just 13 stars.
Back row
Into the forwards, and another unsurprising most expensive back row option is last year’s Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship Hamish Watson.
The Scottish flanker costs 17 stars but could well prove to be an essential pick after his showing last season.
At just under Watson’s price comes Tom Curry and Gregory Alldritt at 16 stars apiece, two top performers for their respective countries.
Possible bargains include try-scoring machines Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds, who at 12 stars and 11 stars respectively, are vying for the England No.8 jersey, while talented Wales back-rower Taine Basham is also the same price.
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Second row
Maro Itoje is the joint second most expensive player in the game at 18 stars and his unmatched scoring potential from lock could see him become a very popular pick once again.
At a little less than Itoje comes James Ryan of Ireland and France’s Paul Willemse who both cost 16 stars.
Tackling machine Jonny Gray (14 stars) is always a shrewd inclusion and at a comparatively cheap 13 stars is Welshman Adam Beard, who has been selected as a vice-captain for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations.
Props
Often the last position put in, props can cause selection headaches, especially if it comes down to a decision between players just one or two stars apart.
Tadhg Furlong, who was recently declared fit for Ireland, is the most expensive prop at 15 stars, but at just one less comes Kyle Sinckler.
Furlong’s Ireland teammate Andrew Porter could offer some relief to selectors as he costs a bargain 12 stars, while Tomas Francis is only 10 stars if you believe he will get the nod for Wayne Pivac’s Wales.
Hooker
And last but very much not least is the hooker selection. Jamie George is the most expensive hooker in the game this year, setting you back 14 stars, but a whole load of men who will don the No.2 jersey come in at just one less.
Peato Mauvaka, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Julien Marchand and Stuart McInally cost 13 stars, while Irish hooker Ronan Kelleher looks great value at just 11 stars.
If you look to the Azzurri, you can find a starting hooker for just eight stars, in the form of Hame Faiva or Gianmarco Lucchesi – depending which one gets the nod against France in Round 1.
So now you’re appraised of the key values but if you’re suffering from selection headaches, fear not. We’ll be providing handy Fantasy Rugby hints and tips throughout the competition, so keep an eye on www.sixnationsrugby.com to steal a march on your mates!
Whoever comes out on top overall, following in the footsteps of Thomas The Bantengine in 2021, will earn the ultimate prize – two tickets to a 2023 match of your choice, flights within Europe and one-night hotel accommodation (for two people).
Game on!
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