A huge weekend lies ahead whether you are looking to maintain your top spot or look to make a charge up the rankings.
Looking at Round 3, what did we learn? Firstly, you can’t look past the form players like Aoife Wafer, Assia Khalfaoui and Ellie Kildunne.
Secondly, even if Kildunne is running away with the top tryscorer title, there are plenty of other players in multiple positions like Abby Dow, Marlie Packer, Vittoria Vecchini, Madoussou Fall and Hannah Botterman, who have shown that they have an eye for the tryline. Finally, make sure you look to the outliers in each position to build a solid foundation in your fantasy teams.
Moving into Round 4, it’s worth considering your strategy around whether to load up with the popular options or going with some differential choices. Ultimately if you are sat at the top of your mini leagues, it’s best to play it safe and go with the more popular picks. However, if you are currently mid-table and need to make a march up the table, it’s best to go all or nothing and make a handful of bold differential choices.
The big question, where to invest your all-important stars for this crucial round?
This week we have two matches on the Saturday; England v Ireland, followed by Italy v Scotland. Then on Sunday, Wales and France wrap up proceedings in Cardiff.
Running through the likely fantasy candidates from each match, starting with England v Ireland
England’s long running winning streak is showing no sign of ending soon and in Round 4 they welcome Ireland to what should be a packed Twickenham Stadium. The first name on most player’s teamsheets now will be Ellie Kildunne. With 6 tries to her name as well as the overall highest metres carried of any player in the tournament (439 metres, 136 metres more than her closest rival, Aoife Wafer), Kildunne is the safest choice in the game. Her Back Three team mates Abby Dow and Jess Breach are also well worth considering, averaging 28.7 and 23.3 respectively and both capable of putting in a huge haul.
Moving into the pack England have a wealth of options, standing out in Round 3 was Alex Matthews, who beat a huge 9 defenders against Scotland, the second highest of any player in Round 3. Marlie Packer was on the bench against Scotland and still found her way onto the scoresheet. With her starting position back, she’ll be looking for more tryscoring opportunities against Ireland.
Rosie Galligan could not quite match her points haul from Round 2 against Scotland, but she’s still huge value at 11.8 stars. England’s front row can be the source to huge points, Hannah Botterman is one of the highest scoring props in the game and already has two tries to her name, while Lark Atkin-Davies is always a try-scoring threat. Finally a special mention to Connie Powell, SuperSub extraordinaire. Powell is the third highest scoring Hooker in the game and she’s yet to start a match. An excellent choice for your bench.
Ireland were outstanding against Wales, but will inevitably have a tougher challenge at Twickenham and will not quite have the same attacking opportunities as last week. With this said, it’s hard to look past the performances of Aoife Wafer. Wafer is the highest average scoring back row in the game with an average of 47.3 points a game. Against Wales she was unstoppable.
As Player of the Match, she scored a massive 67 points through 150 metres carried, 10 defenders beaten, a try and an assist. Elsewhere, Neve Jones should get through her usual high tackling numbers and Linda Djougang should again build up a high score through what should be a high volume of defensive work. Worth also mentioning Cliodhna Moloney as a very strong SuperSub option if she gets a good run off the bench.
In the second match on Saturday, Italy host Scotland in Parma. Despite being on the losing side in Paris last week, Italy put in an excellent performance and will be looking for their second win of the tournament against Scotland.
They are stacked with fantasy talent over the pitch, and none more so than their midfield magician Beatrice Rigoni. Italy’s kicker should accumulate points with the boot but also bring plenty of attacking flair to the team. Italy have great strength in attack, and Alyssa D’Inca (2 tries and 57 points in Round 3), Vittoria Ostuni Minozzi (254 metres carried all tournament) and Franesca Granzotto (starting on the wing but set in the game as a scrum-half) are all worth strong consideration.
Finally, she had a quiet game by her standards against France, but we all know what Vittoria Vecchini is capable of and again she is well worth the investment in for Round 4.
Scotland will also be looking to get back to winning ways in Round 4 and if they are to do this, then Evie Gallagher will be in the thick of the action. Gallagher is Scotland’s highest average scorer so far, averaging 28.7 points per game and leads the whole tournament for breakdown steals. Also a strong selection choice this week is Chloe Rollie. Rollie has yet to make the same impact this year as she did in 2023 (where she carried for a huge 609 metres, beat more defenders than any other player in the Championship with 41 and also scored 3 tries). This could be the week she recaptures that form. Lana Skeldon has also had a disrupted 2024 Championship, but the prolific tryscorer should get more opportunities this week. Finally, Helen Nelson is a reliable option at Fly Half and has had an excellent performance so far this season from the kicking tee.
Finally to Sunday, where France travel to Cardiff to take on Wales. The majority of the fantasy focus will be on France, and after her player of the match performance against Italy, many will be backing Assia Khalfaoui for another big points return. Against Italy Khalfaoui made 11 tackles, carried 52 metres, made 1 lineout steal, 2 breakdown steals and also scored a try and assist giving her a massive 64 points.
Elsewhere, with her runs and tackle stats, Romane Menager will be in the back row of many a fantasy side, and also impressing in Round 3 was Charlotte Escudero who is lining up against Wales in the Second Row. In the backs, France have a wealth of fantasy scorers, but in particular Gabrielle Vernier, Lina Queyroi and Pauline Bourdon-Sansus who are all high scorers in their respective positions.
Finally to Wales, who will have a point to prove after a very tough weekend in Cork last week. As always, the Back Row is full of fantasy riches with Alex Callendar and Alisha Butchers lining up again, with Callendar the pick from a fantasy perspective, scoring on average 33.3 points per game.
Also worth considering in the Back Row is Georgia Evans, who is averaging over 20 points per game, and is moving into the Back Row from the Second Row for the France match where she should get more carrying opportunities. Evans is second to only Callendar for total tackles made in the Welsh squad this season.
Good luck, and make sure you don’t miss the first match deadline on Saturday afternoon!
Fantasy Rugby Geek top picks for Round 4
Back Three: Abby Dow (England), Ellie Kildunne (England), Alyssa D’Inca (Italy), Chloe Rollie (Scotland)
Centre: Gabrielle Vernier (France), Beatrice Rigoni (Italy) Lina Queyroi (France)
Fly-half:Helen Nelson (Scotland), Holly Aitchison (England)
Scrum half:Pauline Bourdon-Sansus (France), Francesca Granzotto (Italy)
Back-row:Alex Matthews (England), Alex Callendar (Wales), Aoife Wafer (Ireland), Romane Menager (France)
Second row: Manae Feleu (France), Rosie Galligan (England), Georgia Evans (Wales)
Prop: Hannah Botterman (England), Assia Khalfaoui (France), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Wales)
Hooker: Neve Jones (Ireland), Vittoria Vecchini (Italy)
Supersub: Connie Powell (England), Élisa Riffonneau (France)
Captain Pick: Ellie Kildunne (England)
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