Rugby union suits fantasy games, because the sport lends itself well to data-driven insights that highlight the subtle yet influential actions of individual players.
Six Nations tournaments put national bragging rights on the line and fantasy games add another dimension. Whether you are pondering a first foray or you are a veteran striving for an edge, hopefully this guide helps you out.
How to assemble a team
Each team must contain 15 players, comprising three back-three players, two centres, one fly-half, one scrum-half, three back-rowers, two locks, two props and a hooker.
You can add a “super-sub”, who is eligible for triple points if she comes off the bench at some stage during the match in question. If she starts, however, you only pick up half what she scores.
A maximum of four players is permitted from any one Six Nations team, and each option is priced according to a stars system. These values fluctuate according to events during the tournament and you have a total budget of 230 stars. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ellie Kildunne (20 stars), Jess Breach and Abby Dow (both 19 stars) will set off as the most expensive individuals. Alex Matthews and Zoe Aldcroft (both 18 stars) mean that England have the five dearest players in the game.
How to score points
The first interesting wrinkle is that a try by a forward (15 points) is worth more than a try by a back (10 points) for the first time. Assists are worth four points, with conversions worth two and penalties three. A dropped goal will earn you five. Staying with the boot, a 50:22 is worth seven.
Players gain two points every time they beat a defender and one for every 10 metres they make with ball in hand. An offload that goes to hand adds two points as well, while every attacking scrum won – not including penalties, free-kicks or resets – is worth one point to the forwards on the pitch.
Defensive graft is also recognised. Tackles are one point each, with breakdown steals bringing five points. Line-out steals are especially valuable, offering up seven points, and discipline is vital. Players will be docked one point for conceding a penalty, with yellow cards minus five points and red cards minus eight points.
…and bag big boosts
As with most fantasy games, there is a captaincy chip that doubles the output of one designated player. The super-sub can be a real game-changer for your week if deployed shrewdly. Finally, an official player-of-the-match gong piles on 15 points. There was a nice spread to these in 2024.
Five went to centres and four to back-rowers, with two each to scrum-halves and wings and one each to locks and full-backs. Kildunne bagged three last season, with 12 other players winning one each.
Telegraph Sport’s top tips
Sneak in kickers…
Lina Queyroi and Beatrice Rigoni (both 14 stars) are listed as a centres, yet kick goals for France and Italy, respectively. Unlike other games, you do not have to designate a single sharpshooter, so take advantage. Emma Sing, also priced at 14 stars, could take the tee at some point for England. She is categorised as a back-three player.
…and look for other positional wrinkles
Versatile players must be labelled somehow and you might be able to capitalise. Alyssa D’Inca (17 stars) could be on the wing or at centre for Italy. She is down as a back-three player. Her compatriot, Sara Tounesi (14 stars), has appeared as a lock and a blindside flanker. For the purpose of this game, she is a second-rower, which could allow you to build your pack differently.
Big names are worth it…
The total budget is generous, meaning you are only likely to run into problems and make serious compromises if you want to splash out on a super-sub. Apart from the England big guns, Gabrielle Vernier and Pauline Bourdon Sansus (both 17 stars) are at the top of the price list.
Those fabulous France backs could rack up huge scores. Aoife Wafer and Alex Callender, two combative back-rowers, cost the same and Evie Gallagher (16 stars) is Scotland’s most expensive.
…but stay on your toes
The game does its best to flag availability, with icons illustrating whether players are starting, on the bench or overlooked entirely. But it pays to stay on top of the latest news.
What about a Sean Lynn bounce?
Fresh off a Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) three-peat with Gloucester-Hartpury, Sean Lynn takes the reins as Wales head coach. The only way is up after four losses last season. Jasmine Joyce-Butchers and Alisha Joyce-Butchers (both 14 stars) will both be at the forefront of the campaign, while occasional back-rower Georgia Evans (14 stars) is listed as a lock.
Saddle up the workhorses...
Alex Stewart of Scotland (13 stars) and Callender were tied at the top of the tackle tally for the 2024 Six Nations, amassing 74 each. Italy lock Giordana Duca (13 stars) was next. Callender also led the way for carries, with 70, which reinforced her value. Lisa Thomson (14 stars), the Scotland centre, and Wales prop Gwenllian Pyrs (12 stars) figured high as well, with 55 and 59, respectively.
...but covet the flashy stuff
Kildunne plundered nine tries last season, punctuating a quite ridiculous tournament. France centre Marine Ménager (14 stars) and Ireland wing Katie Corrigan (11 stars) were the highest try-scorers outside of the England side in 2024. They managed three each, as did Marlie Packer (17 stars) to become the most prolific forward.
John Mitchell’s Red Roses love a rumbling maul, of course. They have four hookers in the game, ranging in price from Lark Atkin-Davies (14 stars) to May Campbell (nine stars).
Super-subs change the game
The men’s game underlined the value of super-subs piling on the points. Ponder your strategy after the line-ups roll in.
Track emerging players
An awareness of domestic form will serve you well and there is always value in backing players that are establishing (or re-establishing) themselves. Indeed, these are the most satisfying picks when they come off. Maddie Feaunati (13 stars) broke through last term for England. Young full-back Mia Venner (nine stars) is an example of a player who could explode.
Roll with the form book and flout convention
Transfers between rounds are unlimited, so be ruthless if you sense a chance to pile on points and use captaincy chips wisely. And do not be too proud to assemble a funky team, either. There are no prizes for balance here. If you want two loosehead props, such as Hannah Botterman (13 stars) and Linda Djougang (14 stars), go ahead. Fantasy league: the clue is in the name.
