The Guinness Six Nations has begun in earnest and after three thrilling games to get things underway, a lot has changed already in the fantasy landscape.
In an ever-changing game, prices rise and fall depending on the performances of the players in real life, and after just one round there has been a substantial alteration in prices. But don’t worry, we shall take you through those changes, so you can plan for Round 2 and beyond.
Round 2 of the Championship begins on Saturday at 2:15pm, so don’t forget to finalise your team before then, but in the meantime, here are the six of the biggest risers and fallers in Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby 2022.
Six forwards you must have in round 2 on fantasy rugby
RISERS
Johnny Sexton (17–17.9 stars)
After Ireland’s impressive 29-7 win over Wales on Saturday, it is absolutely no surprise to see Ireland’s talismanic captain have a sharp rise.
At 17 stars he was already one of the most expensive players in the game, but after a sublime opening performance he rises further to 17.9 stars and is now second to only Antoine Dupont in terms of price.
Gabin Villière (15-17.5 stars)
An incredible rise for Villière of 2.5 stars has certainly rewarded fantasy managers who selected the Toulon winger.
A hat-trick of tries against Italy in France’s 37-10 win on Sunday has seen him become one of the most expensive players in the game, and the priciest winger.
Damian Penaud (15-17.2 stars)
It may have been Villière who took all the plaudits on Saturday, but Penaud on the other wing showed everything he is capable of doing too.
A try and a faultless defensive performance from Penaud, who always looks dangerous on the ball, saw him rise by 2.2 stars, making him the second most expensive winger behind his teammate Villière.
Matt Fagerson (9-11.8 stars)
The sharpest riser of all in Round 1 was the player of the match in Scotland’s 20-17 win over England – Matt Fagerson.
An overall performance which rewarded his owners with 58.5 points sees him rise by an incredible 2.8 stars, although at 11.8 stars now he still represents incredible value.
Marcus Smith (15-15.7 stars)
England may have lost at BT Murrayfield on Saturday, but you could not fault the efforts of young fly-half sensation Smith, who scored all of England’s 17 points.
That performance has seen him rise from 15 stars to 15.7 and no doubt he will have caught the eye of many a fantasy owner ahead of this weekend.
2022 Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby Team of the Week
Grégory Alldritt (16-16.9 stars)
Another French player to rise after a brilliant performance against the Azzurri was Alldritt, who has climbed in value to 16.9 stars.
He was the highest scoring forward in Round 1 with 67.5 points and is sure to be one of the most transferred in players this weekend.
FALLERS
Antoine Dupont (19 -18.4 stars)
Perhaps surprising given the overall performance of Dupont, but a combination of his price and the performances of other aforementioned French stars have seen Dupont fall from 19 to 18.4 stars.
That still leaves him as the most expensive player in the game, and it seems inevitable that owners will move back to the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year at some point in the near future.
Stuart Hogg (18-17.2 stars)
Another who is perhaps surprising, given his performance in Scotland’s win over England but he falls under the same brush as Dupont in terms of price and other outstanding Scottish picks.
At 17.2 stars he remains one of the most expensive options around, and it is rare that Scotland’s record try scorer is not on the scoresheet two weeks in a row.
Maro Itoje (18-16.2 stars)
A sharp fall for Maro Itoje, who came into the Championship as the joint second most expensive player in the game and after just one round has fallen to 16.2 stars.
His 11.7 fantasy performance perhaps did not fairly reflect his performance but nonetheless he has fallen considerably after just one week.
Romain Ntamack (17-16.1 stars)
Another who, despite a good performance against Italy, has fallen due to the need for other players.
With only four French players allowed, it seems that many owners have moved away from Ntamack and will be looking at other options.
Basham shows promise for Wales
Josh Adams (17-16 stars)
The most expensive winger in fantasy rugby pre-Championship, Josh Adams had a difficult game in Dublin, playing at outside centre and struggling to make an impact, while also receiving a yellow card.
That sees his price drop by a whole star, as fantasy owners appear to be looking elsewhere for their fantasy wingers.
Louis Rees-Zammit (16-14.3 stars)
Similarly to Adams, Rees-Zammit has seen a considerable drop after a difficult afternoon against Ireland on Saturday.
But get rid of Rees-Zammit at your peril, as he was on the scoresheet on two occasions against Scotland a year ago, while his 75-metre try for Gloucester against Newcastle Falcons shows he is in good form. there could be real value in LRZ now he will only cost you 14.3 stars.
