The business end of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations is approaching which means it’s crunch time in your Fantasy Rugby league.
With just two rounds to play, this could be your last chance to really shake things up.
Perhaps you want to make your lead an unassailable one ahead of the final round, or maybe you are looking to spin the wheel in a bid to catapult up the standings?
Either way, we have you covered. Let’s guide you through the low-owned players who could hand you the bragging rights come close of play on Sunday.
Edoardo Padovani (Italy – Back Three – 11.0 stars)
We begin with a player who has very fond memories of last year’s historic Italy-Wales fixture.
The winning try at Principality Stadium in Italy’s sensational 22-21 victory is of course remembered for Ange Capuozzo’s mazy, mesmeric run and assist.
But victory would not have been assured without Edoardo Padovani’s brilliant tracking run on the inside which set up for Paolo Garbisi the simplest of conversions.
Padovani is yet to cross in this year’s Championship but has shown flashes of brilliance and is always a threat with ball in hand, having made 101 metres from just two starts so far this term.
With his mate Capuozzo sidelined, Padovani will be relied upon to provide an extra spark in Italy’s backline and given his previous exploits in this fixture, he is bound to be right up for it.
Rhys Webb (Wales – Scrum-half – 10.6 stars)
Sticking with the opening fixture of the weekend, Rhys Webb is one Welsh star who will feel he has a point to prove.
Having been omitted from the matchday squad for Round 3, he will be desperate to provide a reminder of his class.
In fact, the last time Webb started an international game for Wales, neither centre Joe Hawkins nor Mason Grady had made their club debuts.
Wales’ attack has not clicked in this campaign – they have averaged just nine points and one try per game from the opening three rounds.
In an effort to find a winning formula, Warren Gatland has paired Webb with Ospreys teammate Owen Williams in the halfback positions and their understanding could be crucial in what looks set to be a tight affair at Stadio Olimpico.
What is more, Webb has scored more tries against Italy than any other international opposition and will hope that he can continue his strong run as Wales look to turn around what has been a difficult campaign.
Ollie Chessum (England – Second row – 11.2 stars)
Before the Guinness Six Nations began, few would have guessed that Ollie Chessum would be one of England’s most consistent performers.
He might not even have been on the radar of some, given he missed the duration of the Autumn Nations Series through injury and had just one Test start to his name prior to Round 1.
But Chessum has excelled alongside Maro Itoje in the England engine room and even when Courtney Lawes does make a full return from injury, stripping 6ft7in Chessum of his spot might prove to be a very tall order.
Chessum has made a remarkable 114 metres so far in the Championship, a huge tally for a lock forward and has been equally impressive in defence, weighing in with 23 tackles and four dominant tackles.
He scored on his first international start at Twickenham in Round 2 and will surely be in the mood again when France visit for Le Crunch on Saturday afternoon.
Jack Dempsey (Scotland – Back row – 9.3 stars)
The cheapest of all No.8s starting in Round 4, Jack Dempsey could be a shrewd acquisition for your side.
A reshuffle in Gregor Townsend’s back row sees Dempsey make his first Championship start and what better way to endear yourself to the BT Murrayfield masses than a totemic display with the Triple Crown on the line.
Dempsey has been limited to just 81 minutes across three matches so far this term but has still chipped in with ten tackles and carried for 47 metres, making him one of the highest-scoring replacements in Fantasy Rugby.
Clashes do not come much bigger than this and the 28-year-old has plenty of big game experience dating back to his time at the Waratahs in Super Rugby, and in the Rugby Championship for Australia prior to his switch of allegiance in 2022.
Dorian Aldegheri (France – Front row – 6.7 stars)
This one really is a bit of fun. France prop Dorian Aldegheri is the cheapest starter across all teams this weekend.
The 29-year-old tighthead has never previously started a fixture in the Championship for Les Bleus and last played for Fabien Galthie’s side two years ago.
And yet Galthie clearly rates him – he has been picked ahead of Sipili Falatea, who has been on the replacements bench for each of the first three matches, and could be hugely effective alongside Toulouse teammates Cyril Baille and Julien Marchand.
Just picture the look on the faces of your friends and family when you pick the lesser-known Aldegheri and he goes on to make a decisive contribution at Twickenham. Thank us later.
