While there were big scores being registered from many players in Round 1, who are the top fantasy options for each team? Today we’ll look into the stats to identify the ‘must-have’ players from each of the Six Nations.
Looking firstly to Ireland, who open the Round 2 matches with a Friday night match-up against Argentina. In a squad packed with talent, it is their all action back rower, Josh van der Flier, who stands out. Van der Flier was Ireland’s top fantasy scorer against New Zealand courtesy of a try as well as an offload, five scrums won, 12 tackles and 25 metres carried. A threat both in attack and defence, the Leinsterman consistently delivers in multiple fantasy points-scoring actions, and he has been in great form in the URC this season, scoring tries as well as making assists and breakdown steals. His consistent hard work always delivers fantasy points, and he would be a top-class addition to any team in his current level of form.
Next up we have France’s Peato Mauvaka. While most of the headlines from France’s victory against Japan came from the Player of the Match, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and the return of France’s gold medal hero, Antoine Dupont, it was Mauvaka who put in a performance that will be remembered for multiple reasons. Mauvaka delivered a 60-point fantasy performance that saw him score a memorable lineout move try with the aforementioned Dupont. He also carried for 86 metres, beat three defenders, made an offload, won five scrums and made a huge 23 tackles, the equal highest of any player in Round 1. In a scenario that is normally unheard of for hookers in modern rugby, Mauvaka ended up playing the full 80 minutes against Japan. When Julian Marchand arrived on the field in the 50th minute, Mauvaka moved into the back row to pack down on the blindside flank. This demonstrated Mauvaka’s huge versatility and fitness levels considering that he was carrying and tackling with the same vigour until the end of the match. This ability is a huge bonus from a fantasy perspective and makes him a true outlier in his position.
England have had a frustrating start to the Autumn Nations Series, but one player who has consistently delivered is Marcus Smith. Scoring 48 fantasy points against New Zealand and 50 fantasy points against Australia, Smith has a full-court game that consistently generates fantasy points. Whether it’s his ability with ball in hand, his unerring accuracy with the boot or his ability to unlock defences and put a team-mate through in for a try, his actions always lead to fantasy points. This is illustrated by his stats so far where he has carried for 216 metres, beaten 11 defenders, kicked four conversions, seven penalties and 1 50-22, as well as provided an assist and an offload. Regardless of the opposition, Smith is well worth investing your stars in.
On to Scotland, and one of the overall top performers in the fantasy game so far, alongside Smith, is Huw Jones. The Scotland centre has averaged 47 points a game and has carried for 248 metres in total, the most of any player in the Autumn Nations Series. He also has the second highest number of offloads with three, the second highest number of defenders beaten with 11, and the equal highest number of try assists with two. Jones is a lethal threat in attack and is moving into “essential pick” territory when it comes to the centres in the fantasy game.
Back in March 2024, it was Tommaso Menoncello who was announced as the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship after a series of outstanding performances for Italy. Menoncello has started this Autumn Nations Series in a similar vein of form, scoring 41 points in Italy’s tough defeat at the hands of Argentina. Not only did he carry for more metres (106) than any other Italian player, he also beat more defenders than any other player in his team, plus he registered Italy’s highest individual tackle count. Alongside Jones in the centres, Menoncello is another highly reliable fantasy pick that always delivers points.
Finally, with 15 points available for a try for forwards, you want to fill your team with forwards who have an eye for the try-line, and Wales have this in their captain, Dewi Lake. Lake already has two tries this season in five appearances for Ospreys in the URC, as well as three international tries in just 12 caps. Lake is more than just a try-scorer, however, as evidenced in his 14 tackles against Fiji in Round 1. Wales are on a tough run at the moment, but win or lose, you can be sure that Lake will be in the thick of the fantasy points whenever he lines up.
As we move deeper into the Autumn Nations Series, these standout players provide an excellent foundation for maximising your fantasy rugby score. Now is the time to lock in your picks and stay ahead of the competition. Remember, one inspired transfer or well-placed captain choice could make all the difference in securing a top spot on the leaderboard! Make sure you get your team in place for Friday night, ahead of the opening match of Round 2, Ireland v Argentina in Dublin, kicking off at 20:10 GMT.
Every match of the Autumn Nations Series is being shown live on TNT Sports.
