With the final round of the 2021 Women’s Six Nations in sight it’s all to play for on Finals Day, with France and England set to battle it out for top spot in this year’s Championship at the Stoop.
Neither side has tasted defeat in their two matches so far and will both be revved up for the chance to claim this year’s crown with a victory in Twickenham, with the Red Roses looking to make it a third successive Championship win.
Italy and Ireland will get the action underway in Parma earlier in the day in the battle for third spot, while Scotland and Wales will do battle in the last match of the competition in Glasgow.
As ever, it will come down to fine margins as to where the matches are won and lost, and it’s no different in Women’s Six Nations Fantasy Rugby, with plenty of points still up for grabs with the battle for top spot likely to go down to the wire.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at six forwards who would be welcome into your team this week, and could be the difference between you taking victory in the final standings, whether it is in the overall league or against your friends.
Lark Davies
If we know anything about clashes between England and France, it is always destined to be a colossal battle up front, with the two sides going hammer and tong to try and overpower their opponent.
So often the side that dominates the set-piece when these two meet is the one that emerges victorious, and in Lark Davies the Red Roses have the perfect player to capitalise if England take control.
The hooker has already touched down for two tries in this year’s Championship, having crossed against both Scotland and Italy in the pool stages, and will be looking to make it a clean sweep and help her side finish the Championship with some silverware.
At 15.3 stars Davies doesn’t come cheap, but with her ability to sniff out a try-scoring opportunity, as well as nine tackles and 38 metres gained with the ball in hand so far, she can certainly add to her tally of 83.2 points so far.
Romane Ménager
Having won the Try of Round 3 for her superb second-half effort against Ireland last time out, Romane Ménager will be full of beans heading to the Stoop, and will no doubt be picked up by a number of managers this week.
The No.8 showed exactly what she is capable of with her soaring run and powerful finish in Dublin last Saturday, and the Red Roses will have to be at their best to stop her producing more of the same this time around.
With 70 metres earned with ball in hand and four would-be tacklers left by the wayside, her elusive nature saw her rack up 60.4 points – but has also seen her price tag rise to 15.0 stars, although she is well worth the outlay.
Whether she starts the game or comes off the bench she is always likely to make an impact, and could be the difference between victory and defeat for Les Bleues this weekend.
Valeria Fedrighi
With Italy and Ireland sure to be giving their all to secure third spot at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in the first match of the day, what you need is a player who isn’t scared about putting her body on the line to keep the opposition out – and Valeria Fedrighi is exactly that.
The Italian lock was something of a human-brick wall as the Azzurre kept wave after wave of Scottish attack out in their 41-20 victory in Scotstoun last weekend – stopping 16 ball carriers in their tracks in a monumental defensive effort.
At just 12.1 stars Fedrighi is something of a bargain compared to many others in her position, but she will still earn you the big numbers, having racked up 48.7 points last time around with her abilities on and off the ball.
Dorothy Wall
On the other side of the pitch will be Dorothy Wall, with the Irish back-row hotly tipped to be one of the stars of the future, and she has shown exactly that potential with her performances in the Championship to date.
The 20-year-old has added another dimension to Adam Griggs’ side going forward, with her power and awareness on the ball driving her side forward in possession, while still producing the goods when the opposition have ball in hand.
At 13.3 stars, Wall doesn’t break the bank and is always likely to get herself back on the scoresheet just as she did against Wales in Round 2.
With 132m gained in possession, Wall only comes second to Welsh captain Siwan Lillicrap for territory gained by a back row in the 2021 Women’s Six Nations – throw in a couple of tackle breaks to the mix and you’ve got yourself a gem here.
Lana Skeldon
Despite failing to register a win in this year’s Championship to date, we have seen plenty from this Scotland team to know that the showdown with Wales this weekend is likely to be a full-blooded affair with action from first whistle to last.
The battle up front is likely to be fierce, and Bryan Easson will be turning his experienced players to get the job done in Glasgow, with Lana Skeldon always likely to turn up when it matters the most.
The Scottish hooker is in fine form having touched down against Italy last time out, and will be looking to add to her personal tally once again this weekend, and add to her 28.8 Fantasy Rugby points she has already registered.
At just 10.3 stars Skeldon is the perfect purchase if you’re strapped for cash, and you know you’re always likely to get a favourable return – as economic purchases go they don’t get much better.
Georgia Evans
Wales will be looking to finish the Championship on a high this weekend when they travel to Glasgow, and showdown in Scotstoun promises to be drama-filled.
Although results haven’t always gone their way, the Welsh back row have always impressed throughout the pool stage, with Georgia Evans one of those hoping to put on a show in the final outing of the competition.
The Saracens star has shown glimpses of her quality against France and Ireland so far, with her industrious nature in defence seeing her lead the way in terms of tackles for her country with 28 to her name so far.
And in possession you can always count on her giving her all, having gained 58 metres so far – a total that will more than likely reach double figures this weekend – and at 8.8 stars she is well worth the punt.
