We recently shared a list of Fantasy Value Picks, and now that squads have been announced, there are even more to choose from. With this in mind, it is time to share five more value picks.
These are the deep cuts: great value fantasy options that, if they start, could make a huge impact at a very reasonable price to allow you to spend your 240 stars more effectively elsewhere.
First up on the list is a player who plays in a position where there is already a huge amount of fantasy competition, and that is in the Hooker slot. Here we have many established fantasy names who regularly deliver fantasy returns, including Peato Mauvaka, Dan Sheehan and Jamie George. Play Six Nations Fantasy Rugby here!
One less established name (at international level) that needs serious fantasy consideration however is Scotland's try machine, Johnny Matthews (12 stars). Matthews has been simply unstoppable in the URC this season, where he leads the try scorers list with a huge 10 tries. This is 4 more than his closest challengers on 6 tries. Even more impressively, he has scored an astonishing 21 tries in total for the Glasgow Warriors in 2023. With just one international appearance (and a try, obviously) to his name, he will be looking to make a big impact having been called up for the 2024 squad. Whether he’s a starter or coming off the bench (as a Supersub, there will be few better choices), he’ll be a great alternative option in the Hooker position.
With a number of injuries impacting the Irish back line, including Mack Hansen and Jimmy O'Brien, the opportunity has opened up for new faces. One of the beneficiaries could be Calvin Nash (11 stars). Nash has entered the season in fine form both in the URC and in Europe. Fresh off the back of playing an instrumental role in Munster's URC title-winning campaign in 2022/23, Nash has thrust himself into international reckoning and he will be looking to add to his one international cap in the 2024 Six Nations campaign. Capable of huge fantasy hauls (for example against Dragons earlier in the season he recorded 2 tries, 1 assist, 5 line breaks, 12 defenders beaten and 160m carried - just in one game), Nash will be a dark horse well worth gambling on if selected.
One player looking to make a big impact for England in this year's tournament is Tommy Freeman (8 stars). The versatile back who can play all across the backline will be looking to take the opportunity to cement himself into Steve Borthwick's long term plans this Winter. From a fantasy perspective, he brings huge upside, having scored 11 tries across all competitions this season as well as being one of the top carriers in the Premiership with 509 metres carried. He also leads the Premiership in Line Breaks by quite some distance. At just 8 stars he really is huge value and will be one to watch if he makes Engalnd's match day 23.
France enter the 2024 Six Nations Championship having temporarily lost their superstar scrum-half Antoine Dupont, while he focuses on achieving his Olympic dream with the France Sevens team. Any way you look at it, this is a huge loss. While many consider Dupont irreplaceable, this has generated a huge opportunity for the number 9s waiting in the wings, and as a result, the next French scrum-halves waiting in line, Maxime Lucu (10 stars) and Nolann Le Garrec (9 stars) are well worth considering as fantasy prospects, and both at a great value price. It remains to be seen who will be given the starting spot. Out of the two, Le Garrec is more of an attacking threat with 10 tries in the Top 14 and Europe this season compared to Lucu's 2, but Lucu has the advantage of a great playing relationship with the likely French starting 10 in Mathieu Jalibert through their Bordeaux experience. Worth noting that both are excellent kickers, but it is unlikely that they will take kicking duty away from Thomas Ramos. Keep an eye on who gets the starting duty and consider parting with your stars for the French 9!
Finally we look to the Azzuri for the last pick. Having lit up the URC this season with some outstanding performances at Zebre, Simone Gesi (9 stars) is a huge value pick (if he gets selected). He has just one international cap so far and will be looking to gain many more opportunities internationally this season having registered 6 tries, 9 clean breaks, 20 defenders beaten and 333 metres carried in 9 appearances in the URC this season. If he gets game time, he's well worth a gamble.
As before, keep an eye on the match day squad announcements in the days prior to the respective matches. If these players are named, then definitely consider them in order to help you fill the rest of your team selection with the more expensive premium options!
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