The time for tinkering with your fantasy team selections will soon be over, it's time to get serious and start settling on your final starting XV. So now it is time to start looking through the six squads in detail to identify the top fantasy assets and the value bolters who may just come from nowhere to give your fantasy team the edge.
IRELAND
Entering the 2024 Championship after an extremely tough 2023, Ireland will want do all they can to build on last year’s experience, which was the first year that Ireland had finished last since 2004. Currently ranked 10th in the World Rugby rankings, the lowest of the Six Nations, they will have a fight on their hands. There are reasons for Ireland fans to be positive however. They have named a squad that is a blend of exciting new talents as well as some returning big names who missed last year’s Championship, including Beibhinn Parsons and Edel McMahon.
Ireland's squad has plenty of individual talent, and one constant stand-out performer for them is the Gloucester-Hartpury hooker Neve Jones (16 stars). In last year’s Championship, Jones made more tackles than any other player with an astonishing 90 (the next closest being Scotland’s Evie Gallagher's 81). Jones was Ireland’s highest breakdown stealer as well with 4 over the course of the tournament. While she did not get on the scoresheet in 2023, she also has an excellent international try-scoring record and has also crossed over 6 times at club level this season.
When it comes to value, two names stand out. Firstly, available for 12 stars is Brittany Hogan. The Number 8 has 18 international caps and has two Guinness Women’s Six Nations tries to her name. In her appearances in last year’s Championship she made 32 tackles and 2 breakdown steals and will be looking to build on this for 2024. Secondly, Aoife Dalton (10 stars, pictured above) was another top performer in Ireland’s tough 2023 campaign, beating more defenders (14) than any other Irish player, and also carrying for 175 metres and winning 2 breakdown steals, and she will be looking to build in this in the 2024 Championship.
ITALY
Next up we have Italy. Ranked 7th in the world, the Azzurre have a squad blessed with talent, and many feel that their 5th place finish in 2023 belied their abilities. With a strong showing in the WXV2 last autumn, they should be able to build on this with a strong showing in the 2024 Championship. They have named an experienced squad with only a handful of changes from the 2023 Championship.
Looking through their squad, there are plenty of great-priced fantasy talents to consider. Top of the list is Italy’s top try-scorer in 2023, Alyssa D’Incá (15 stars). D’Inca is a huge attacking threat and last year scored 3 tries, carried for 310m and beat 14 defenders in a a series of impressive performances. They have a tough first opponent in England, where they may struggle for attacking returns, but from Round 2, the fantasy opportunities open up. It is important to also mention Italy’s magician in Midfield, Beatrice Rigoni (16 stars). Rigoni has impressed at Sale Sharks this season in the PWR, and for a number of years now has lit up the Championship with her creative talent. Finally, Michela Sillari (16 stars) is also worth strong consideration, not only from a kicking perspective, but in 2023 she was also Italy’s top performer in terms of breakdown steals, with 6 over the course of the tournament. Fantasy Gold.
Elsewhere there is plenty of value to be had, none more so than in Isabella Locatelli (12 stars). Locatelli, who is categorised as a second row, but often lines up in the back row, began Italy’s first two matches in 2023 on the bench and was quickly installed into the starting XV after making a making a big impact off the bench. The versatile Colorno forward delivered the kind of stats that are very well rewarded in the new scoring in the fantasy game, recording 33 tackles over the course of the tournament, as well as 6 breakdown steals and 3 lineout steals, which was the most of any player in last year's Championship. A notable mention for Silvia Turani (10 stars), another versatile option in the Front Row, who has been making a big impact in the PWR this season for Harlequins after a disappointing 2023 Guinness Women’s Six Nations ended early after injury.
SCOTLAND
Currently 8th in the world, Scotland ended up in 4th place last year, and there is much positivity - especially after winning WXV2 - that they can at least match this performance in 2024. Scotland will miss the presence of Jade Konkel-Roberts for the 2024 Championship, but they have plenty of experienced talent as well as a smattering of new faces in the squad this year.
Scotland’s key player from a fantasy perspective is their flying full back, Chloe Rollie (18 stars). Rollie is a lethal runner and a consistent high performer at the international level and in 2023 carried for a huge 609 metres (second overall in the Championship). Even more impressively, Rollie also beat more defenders than any other player in the Championship with 41. Rollie also contributed 3 tries to Scotland’s cause and is a very safe selection in the Back Three, regardless of the opposition. Elsewhere they have a try machine upfront in Lana Skeldon (16 stars). Skeldon dotted down on 4 occasions in the 2023 Championship and has been also in prolific form at club level, scoring 8 tries for Bristol Bears in the PWR. Last year Skeldon also contributed 73 tackles and 3 breakdown steals.
From a value perspective, one name to mark down is the versatile Sarah Bonar (10 stars). Bonar has played both at second row and back row for Harlequins in the PWR this season, and has regularly delivered in her 10 club appearances, carrying for 340m, making 72 tackles and bringing 2 lineout steals. She’s a great option if you are looking for a value selection the second row.
WALES
To last year's 3rd place finishers, Wales. They had an excellent Championship in 2023 and will be looking to break the England and France top 2 stronghold. They had a tough but positive learning experience in WXV1 in the autumn and will be looking to build on this with a squad that includes some interesting new additions, as well as welcoming back the electric Jaz Joyce and the outstanding Alisha Butchers in the back row after both missed the 2023 campaign.
Wales have some top fantasy options, and none more so in the back row with Alex Callender (18 stars) and Bethan Lewis (15 stars). Callender was Wales’s top fantasy performer in 2023, where she scored 2 tries, beat 8 defenders, carried for 320m, made 58 tackles and made 6 breakdown steals. Close behind was Lewis on a try, 2 assists, 5 defenders beaten, 51 tackles made, 7 breakdown steals and 2 lineout steals. They make a lethal back row combination alongside one of the stars of the 2022 Championship, Alisha Butchers (15 stars), and should once again pick up some big fantasy points. Another name worth mentioning is Keira Bevan (15 stars). As Wales’s first choice kicker, she should accumulate some good fantasy points from the boot.
Wales also have plenty of value options. Available for 13 stars is Wales’s new full back, Jenny Hesketh, who has been tearing it up in the PWR this season for the Bristol Bears, where she has recorded the third highest total in the league this season for metres carried (1,092m in just 9 starts). Hesketh is a lethal runner, not only in terms of metres carried but also in terms of defenders beaten with 28 left in her wake this season. Also worth considering is Lleucu George (10 stars). George has impressed in her appearances for Gloucester-Hartpury this season, and will be lining up at Fly Half (she is categorised as a Centre in the game). While Bevan will likely be the first choice kicker, George will also likely take over when Bevan goes off. George also has way more than just kicking in her game, with 9 try assists in the PWR this season - the third highest of any player.
FRANCE
Having lived in the shadow of England since their last Guinness Women’s Six Nations title in 2018, France kick-off 2024 looking to put a mixed WXV1 campaign behind them. Now without the legendary Jessy Trémoulière in their squad, this will be a big year for them. The world number 3 side still have a squad with talent throughout and should be a real threat to England's ambitions for the throne.
Their top fantasy selection is their star Centre, Gabrielle Vernier (20 stars). Last year Vernier recorded 5 tries, 2 assists, 332m carried, 20 defenders beaten and 4 breakdown steals. Vernier is an exceptional talent. They also have huge ability in their back row, none more so than in Gaëlle Hermet (17 stars) who last year registered 2 tries, an assist, 244m carried, 51 tackles made, 5 breakdown steals and 2 lineout steals. Finally, they have a truly world class option at scrum-half in Pauline Bourdon Sansus (18 stars). Always a danger in attack, last year Bourdon Sansus scored 3 tries, provided 5 assists, and also kicked 2 conversions and a penalty.
From a value point of view, Assia Khalfaoui (12 stars) is worth strong consideration. The Stade Bordelais prop has been a prolific scorer at club level this season with 6 tries in the domestic league, making her 2nd equal overall. If she gets ball in hand regularly again in this Championship she will deliver some great returns from what is traditionally a low-scoring position. Also a strong front row option, Élisa Riffonneau (12 stars), may be the back-up to Agathe Sochat, but she’s also been in top form domestically and could be an outstanding Supersub option.
ENGLAND
And finally to the reigning champions, the world number 1 and the bookies' favourites, England. The Red Roses secured the Grand Slam last year, and if anything they look even stronger this year following the return of Abbie Ward, Emily Scarratt and Zoe Harrison. The strength in depth England have is astonishing, especially considering the talents that did not make the final squad. One thing is for sure: only selecting 4 English players will be a huge challenge.
Looking out for their top Fantasy Pick, it is hard to look past England’s captain, Marlie Packer (20 stars). Packer was a top performer in many areas in 2023, including the 7 tries that led to her being the overall top try-scorer, but also 367m carried, 10 defenders beaten, 73 tackles made and 7 breakdown steals.
England have a wealth of talent in the Backs, but standing out in 2023 was Abby Dow (20 stars). Dow returned to the 2023 Guinness Women’s Six Nations less than 12 months after a serious leg injury and put up some incredible stats, including a huge 722m carried, which was over 100m more than her nearest rival. She also chalked up 6 tries and 30 defenders beaten. Adding to the talent in the Back Row, Sadia Kabeya (18 stars) is a key talent to watch. A complete all-rounder, in 2023 she registered a try, an assist, 16 defenders beaten, 348m carried, 65 tackles, 3 breakdown steals and a lineout steal. This is only but three, but England’s squad is packed with fantasy stars including Ellie Kildunne (18 stars), Jess Breach (18 stars), Emily Scarratt (16 stars), Lucy Packer (14 stars) and Lark Atkin-Davies (16 stars).
In terms of value, most England players have high price tags, but there are some gems to be found. Sarah Beckett (12 stars) is incredible value considering that last year she scored 2 tries, got an assist, beat 12 defenders, carried for 245m and made 27 tackles. Also, if she gets selected at any stage, Sydney Gregson (11 stars) has the ability to make a huge potential impact. Gregson has proven to be one of the most lethal runners within the PWR this season. Not only does she have 6 tries to her name, but she has also carried for 1,154 metres over the course of the season (the second highest of any player in the league) and she has beaten 42 defenders in 11 appearances from Outside Centre. Also solid in defence with 82 tackles made, Gregson has a big challenge to make the matchday squad, but if she gets in, she’s great value.
All six squads are stacked with experienced talent and new faces set to make a huge impact, and this should make this year’s Women’s Six Nations fantasy game one of the hardest to call yet. Some big selection decisions to be made in the lead-up to Round 1, so stay tuned for more fantasy tips in the lead up to the opening match on Saturday!
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