With the Autumn Nations Series 2021 now in full-swing this year’s fantasy competition is also hotting up.
After a high-scoring weekend of international rugby let’s take a look at some of the best performing players so far, as those competing look to prove their rugby nous by selecting an all-star winning Fantasy XV.
James Lowe – Ireland – 16.4 stars
James Lowe flew straight the top of the fantasy average points rankings after his excellent display against Japan at the weekend.
The New Zealand-born wing set the tone for his team, crossing for the opening try at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s 60-5 victory over the Cherry Blossoms.
He also carried the ball 161 metres, which also helped stack up his overall score, as players receive 0.3 fantasy points per carried metre. It was those metres, and the six tackle breaks that allowed him to outscore teammate Andrew Conway, despite his hat-trick in Dublin.
Lowe finished with an overall score of 111.8 points. Lowe was a shrewd selection for week one, particularly considering he is cheaper to players than his Irish captain, Johnny Sexton.
The 29-year-old will be soon entering ‘must-pick’ territory for every fantasy player if he keeps up this form in the coming weeks, with the country of his birth next up in Dublin.
Quinn Tupaea – New Zealand – 15.2 stars
Quinn Tupaea was a big fantasy points scorer as New Zealand beat Italy 47-9 to follow up on their win against Wales the previous weekend.
Tupaea wouldn’t have been the obvious choice for players looking to include an All Black, but picked up a whopping 84.5 points for his performance in Rome.
This included five for the five tackles he managed against the Azzurri, and carrying the ball 155 metres, on top of the standard 12 points for an away win.
His physical ball-carrying capabilities mean he could retain his place for the All Blacks’ next game in the series in Ireland on Saturday.
If he stays in the starting XV, the centre could be an absolute steal at 15.2 stars.
Melvyn Jaminet – France – 13.7 stars
France’s breakout star of 2021 is another of the biggest scorers so far after a first-class display in a battling win over Argentina last Saturday.
Jaminet’s excellent goal-kicking gave his team the edge in Paris, with two conversions and five penalties helping his side to a 29-20 success.
As well as putting points on the board, the 22-year-old also made two tackle-breaks and two tackles of his own.
The classy full-back is also relatively cheaper than some of the other bigger names in his position, for example New Zealand’s Damian McKenzie will set you back 16.3 stars, Jordie Barrett costing 16.2.
Considering France take on Georgia next, Les Bleus will be looking to not only secure another home win, but aim for a greater margin. If achieved this will lead to a healthy fantasy points score for those involved.
As a result, fantasy coaches will be seriously considering whether to include Jaminet, if they don’t have him in their squad already.
Jonny May – England – 18.2 stars
England winger Jonny May is understandably one of the more expensive purchases for players starting XV, but Saturday offers a great example of why.
As his team racked up 11 tries against Tonga at Twickenham, May was at the heart of it, scoring twice and making six tackle-breaks over the 80 minutes.
As well as getting the standard six points in the bag that comes for a home win, his two tries added 30 to his fantasy score.
In total the 31-year-old, and second top try-scorer in England history, would have brought a healthy total of 114.6 points to those who selected him.
One of the best performing players so far, but still with even more to show, May might take up a chunk of player’s budget, but virtually guarantees points in return.
Adam Radwan – England – 17.5 stars
Another England winger who has proved a big points scorer this week following the win over Tonga.
Radwan helped light up Twickenham on Saturday with a scintillating display which racked up 120.2 Fantasy points.
He not only broke eight tackles over the course of the game, but also scored one of England’s 11 tries in an impressive win.
His performance will have caught the eye, not only of Eddie Jones, but of many Fantasy Rugby players ahead of selecting next week’s squad.
At 17.5 stars Radwan doesn’t come cheap, but if anyone is looking for a shot of points to fly up the table, he could be the man.
Pick your 2021 Fantasy Autumn Nations Series XV now!
