It’s back! We’re not just talking about the Guinness Six Nations but the official Fantasy Rugby Game.
While the six countries compete for a Championship title and a potential Grand Slam, fantasy players will be competing for bragging rights over their mates, as well as great prizes.
What better way to prove what a rugby guru you are than by selecting an all-conquering Fantasy Rugby team?
And to that end, we’re helping you out by highlighting five backs to target in your Round 1 team, while you can read our explainer of how the game works by clicking here.
Owen Farrell 17.0
He might be the most expensive player in the game, along with Johnny Sexton and Stuart Hogg, but the Saracens fly-half will be worth every penny if you select him in your team.
Whether it be conversions, penalties or even going over the try line himself, you can always rely on Farrell to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
The 28-year-old has bagged an average of 11.8 points a game in his Guinness Six Nations career to date, and with an away trip to France to start the Championship, you could earn yourself an extra 18 points if England take the victory in Paris.
If he continues to perform at the level we all know he can, Farrell may even get himself an official Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match award, which would see you 15 points better off and in line to top the rankings after the first weekend.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE OFFICIAL GUINNESS SIX NATIONS FANTASY RUGBY GAME
Louis Rees-Zammit 10.0
He might be a doubt to start for Wales’ opener against Italy at the Principality Stadium, but with the ‘supersub’ option available, the Gloucester wing looks a steal at just 10 stars.
If you select him as your ‘supersub’ and the 18-year-old comes off the bench in Cardiff, all the points he achieves will be tripled. With Rees-Zammit being one of the quickest players in the competition, his fresh legs from the bench will no doubt trouble a tiresome Italy defence.
Already being touted as the next George North, the Welsh superstar has been dazzling past defences in the Gallagher Premiership in recent weeks, culminating in him being named December’s player of the month, scoring five tries in the process.
With added points for margin of victory, the addition of a number of Welsh players in your team could boost your score massively. The last two meetings in Wales have seen the home side dominate Italy when they have come to visit, with the clash in 2016 ending in a 67-14 mauling.
Andrew Conway 9.0
We know all eyes will be on Jacob Stockdale to illuminate the Aviva Stadium in Ireland’s clash with Scotland on Saturday, but the bargain buy could be the man on the other side of the pitch.
At almost half the price of Stockdale’s 16 stars, Andrew Conway could give you a bit more flexibility with the rest of your purchases and also tot up some important points at the same time.
The 28-year-old has impressed for Munster this season and will be looking to lay down a marker on his first ever Guinness Six Nations start in Dublin, after making just three substitute appearances beforehand.
It’s a regular sight to see Conway leaving defenders in his wake, and with two points awarded for every defender beaten, and 0.3 points for every metre gained, you could see yourself rising up the leader board with this bargain buy.
George Horne 8.0
Scotland’s number nine jersey is up for grabs after Grieg Laidlaw’s retirement late last year, and in George Horne, they look to have a player capable of filling the void.
At just eight stars, the Glasgow Warriors scrum-half is an absolute snip, and if he performs as he has been doing in the Guinness PRO14, then you can be assured of some valuable points throughout the Championship.
With five tries from five appearances domestically, you can put your money on Horne helping himself to a score or two during Scotland’s matches, as Gregor Townsend’s side look to bounce back from their pool stage exit at the 2019 World Cup.
With a tricky opening tie against Ireland coming up on Saturday, the scrum-half will no doubt be putting his body on the line to keep out the home side’s attacking efforts.
With points gained for each tackle made, the efforts of Horne off the ball could also prove pivotal in racking up the points.
Anthony Bouthier 9.0
Bouthier is one of a whole raft of uncapped players in the France squad heading into the 2020 Championship, and as the only named full-back in the squad, you are guaranteed to earn yourself some points by including him.
Fabien Galthié has rung the changes since the 2019 World Cup, with plenty of fresh faces included for the curtain-raiser against England in Paris on Sunday.
As ever, there are so many ifs, buts and maybes about France heading into the Guinness Six Nations, but after impressing for Montpellier in the Top 14 this season, Bouthier could be the pick of the bunch.
With five tries under his belt for a side that sit in mid-table domestically in France, the 27-year-old can be relied on to produce some magic even when the odds are stacked against him.
He can also kick from the tee as well if needed, which could be used to your advantage in Round 1.
