Those who failed to register your fantasy team team before the Round 1 deadline last week still have a chance to claim fantasy rugby glory - and also be in a position to win a great prize!
With Round 2 coming up this weekend (featuring Italy v Wales, England v France on Saturday, and Scotland v Ireland on Sunday), those who sign up before Round 3 will be entered into a prize draw to win a signed Six Nations ball, so you have nothing to lose.
While the draw for the signed ball will put you on a level playing field with the rest of the teams who started in Round 1, there are also certain advantages in the wider game over those who have a head start on you. This includes being able to set up a team based on what we learnt from Round 1 to gain some immediate insights into how to configure your team. While missing a whole round is undeniably a challenge, a well-chosen captain and supersub selection potentially gives you an immediate opportunity to quickly make up lost ground.
Coming in fresh for Round 2 gives you the chance to be the ultimate underdog; by starting from behind and climbing up the rankings you can truly demonstrate your rugby knowledge. You can also enter your team with no pressure. Even if catching the top scorers feels out of reach, you can set weekly goals, compete with friends, and enjoy the game without pressure on you given that you missed the opening week.
Furthermore, you are still able to create new leagues if you and others who missed Round 1 want to start from Round 2.
You can take onboard some learnings from Round 1 in selecting your new team which those who started from the off did not have. For example, you now have an insight into each team’s approach to substitutes,and anyone who missed out on Dan Sheehan and Julien Marchand’s supersub hauls in Round 1 can tell you the importance of that; you'll have a clearer view as to who has kicking responsibilities (for example, Tommaso Allan being preferred to take kicks ahead of Paolo Garbisi; as well a steer on which players could potentially be playing out of position, e.g. a Fly-Half playing in a more advanced, attacking Back 3 position.
There is truly no excuse not to set up a team even if you missed Round 1. So sign up today, get yourself the draw for a signed ball and join the fantasy action ahead of a huge weekend of top-class international rugby!
Make sure you get your team in place for Saturday afternoon, ahead of the opening match of Round 2, Italy v Wales in Rome (14:15 GMT).
You can follow The Fantasy Rugby Geek on X or visit fantasyrugbygeek.com and play in the Fantasy Rugby Geek Leagues here.
