Highly-priced premium fantasy options are likely to take a significant portion of your overall budget, so it's absolutely crucial that you balance your team out with some value picks. Looking around the lower-priced players, there is still a huge amount of value to be had, so today we are looking at 5 bargain options valued at 12 stars or less to allow you to spend big elsewhere on your team. Important to note is that these players are not guaranteed to be playing so, as always, check the matchday squads before committing to your team!
First up is a player who has been making a huge impact at domestic and European level, and is now ready to make a splash internationally: Tom Willis (10 stars). Willis has just one England cap to his name, having made his Test debut coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales, but after a hugely impressive start to the season for Saracens, the calls for him to make the Six Nations squad have been deafening. An outstanding carrier, in just 8 starts for Saracens Willis has carried this season for 530 metres, scored 3 tries, made 2 try assists, beaten 51 defenders, won 8 turnovers, made 135 tackles and made 15 offloads. If Willis can translate this kind of form to international level, then he will produce some elite fantasy scores. At 10 stars he’s an absolute bargain that will let you spend big elsewhere in your squad.
Another England player with an attractive price point, and who is likely to play a key role and has been in highly consistent form this season, is Freddie Steward (12 stars). With the injury to George Furbank keeping him out of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Steward has been called up and is highly probable to slot into the vacated 15 shirt. Ever reliable under the high ball, this season Steward has made huge progress to his attacking game. This has resulted in greater fantasy points potential. In the Premiership he has scored 5 tries, made 3 try assists and carried for 533 metres. In Europe he has been even more impressive: in Round 1 against Union Bordeaux-Begles he carried for a huge 290 metres - an incredible tally for a single match. If Steward continues this impressive attacking form, then he will be a great value selection as well as a strong differential option into your fantasy Back 3.
Next up is a great all-round talent in the French pack available for a bargain price. One of the outstanding prospects in the second row position across all the Six Nations squads is France’s Thibaud Flament (12 stars). Playing in a position that typically scores quite low in the fantasy game, Flament is an attacking and defensive threat who should regularly deliver high fantasy scores well above the average in his position. An athletic option in the French engine room, Flament is a speedy carrier who is also a big threat for gaining lineout steal points. He also is a great try threat, having scored 4 tries at domestic and European level for Stade Toulousain this season, and also having scored 6 tries for France in his 29 appearances at international level. With tries now worth 15 points for forwards in the Six Nations Fantasy game, Flament is highly capable of delivering huge returns.
With the unfortunate injury to Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, a gap has opened up at Inside Centre for Scotland, and a prime candidate to fill that gap is Stafford McDowall (8 stars). An imposing and powerful runner, McDowall’s appearances have been limited for Glasgow Warriors this season, but in 4 appearances this season he has still recorded 2 assists, 4 turnovers won, 29 tackles and 3 offloads. McDowall in the past has demonstrated a great try-scoring ability, including 9 tries in 19 matches for Glasgow in the 22/23 season. He also has 2 international tries in 8 appearances for Scotland. At just 8 stars, McDowall is an excellent option if you have limited budget to fill the final gaps in your team.
Finally, we look to another budget England option with a very high potential points ceiling. Cadan Murley (10 stars) could finally be ready to make his international debut. He appeared twice in 2024 in the white of England for the England A team and scored 5 tries in just 2 games. The Harlequins flyer has been one of the most consistent try scorers in Premiership Rugby, scoring 60 tries for Quins across all competitions since his debut in 2018. This season has seen his best form yet with 10 tries in just 12 appearances. Based on his current form, if Steve Borthwick entrusts him with a start, he will be an absolute bargain for fantasy managers.
Again, make sure that these players are starting before selecting them, but these options show that, despite a tight budget of 230 stars, there are still plenty of gems in the lower price brackets to help you balance your team selection with the pricier options.
You can follow The Fantasy Rugby Geek on X or visit fantasyrugbygeek.com and play in the Fantasy Rugby Geek Leagues here.
