Six Nations 2015 Fantasy Rugby Picks...Help!

Six Nations 2015 is here and for those playing fantasy rugby games, it is difficult to know which players to select. Fortunately help is at hand from our man Scott Donaldson.

Here is his guide to help the likes of @emmathurston23 and @rugbymedia - both are established and valued contributors to www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk

We have already polled some of our regular contributors to test them on how they thought Stuart Lancaster would select. It did prove difficult with so many injuries!!

So it's over to our tipping pundit in the Southern Hemisphere for guidance, with less than 12 hours before the tournament kicks off.

In Six Nations 2015, it is important to select starting players. England for example, have so many injuries that you have to keeping checking that the teamsheet hasn't changed.

Blockbusting Number Eights like Billy Vunipola are fantasy rugby studs.

In Six Nations Round 1, it will be interesting to see what happens with all of the Number 10s. Because of the injuries to established players like Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell, managers will have to take a gamble in the inside backs especially knowing who will be the best goal kickers.

It usually pays to invest in some studs first and then fill in the usual lower scoring positions of lock and midfield back with cheaper options.  

Looking long-term will save trades, but that is difficult especially if you are an England fan, with so many injuries!

Finally, the best way to choose players is based on their opponents. Outside backs are far more likely to score tries against Italy than against the stronger teams. Day games are also better for scoring tries. Italy does have some great tacklers who earn big fantasy points despite the team not winning many games.

The best way to choose your Six Nations fantasy rugby squad is to look at the best performers from 2014.

In my team I have gone for some consistent performers like Rory Best, Sergio Parisse, Billy Vunipola, Wes Fofana and Jamie Roberts, but there are heaps of bargains out there because of injuries.  

At first five eighth it could be worth taking a punt on George Ford, Camille Lopez or Ian Keatley.

Devin Toner (Ireland), Teddy Thomas (France), Josh Furno (Italy), Scott Spedding (France) and Jared Payne (Ireland) are just some of the many bargains available.

A goalkicking outside back like Leigh Halfpenny should be a reliable points scorer.

Best Fantasy Squad Six Nations 2014 - Does History help predict the future?

Check out the performers from the 6 Nations 2014 series, and see who showed out proud! Presented as the best Rugby 15 of the series and best possible Fantasy side of the series.

This squad is picked based entirely on TESTRUGBY.com fantasy points earned from the Series. The results are limited to the actual starting 15 of each side, and spots are based on the jersey number worn in the game. A player must have played in their jersey number at least twice to be considered.

Player	Country	Pos	Avg Points	Total Points	Games	Avg Value	Avg Owned
Rory Best	Ireland	FR	303	1515	5	$1,270,000	31%
Dimitri Szarzewski	France	FR	235	940	4	$1,075,000	9%
Alun-Wyn Jones	Wales	LK	268	1075	4	$1,140,000	19%
Devin Toner	Ireland	LK	226	1130	5	$562,500	22%
Billy Vunipola	England	LF	330	990	3	$975,000	14%
Sergio Parisse	Italy	LF	288	1155	4	$1,170,000	27%
Owen Farrell	England	HV	303	1515	5	$1,232,500	47%
Jonathan Sexton	Ireland	HV	295	1475	5	$1,287,500	52%
Jamie Roberts	Wales	CT	266	1330	5	$1,235,000	30%
Michele Campagnaro	Italy	CT	248	1240	5	$525,000	7%
Mike Brown	England	OB	394	1970	5	$1,267,500	29%
Andrew Trimble	Ireland	OB	313	1565	5	$965,000	7%

Picked by Rugby Position

Player	Country	Position	Fantasy Avg	Fantasy Total	Actual Points
Cian Healy	Ireland	1 - Prop - Loose	233	1165	5
Rory Best	Ireland	2 - Hooker	303	1515	0
Dan Cole	England	3 - Prop -Tight	137	275	0
Devin Toner	Ireland	4 - Lock	226	1130	0
Alun-Wyn Jones	Wales	5 - Lock	268	1075	0
Peter O'Mahony	Ireland	6 - Loose Blindside	202	810	0
Sam Warburton	Wales	7 - Loose Openside	233	935	5
Billy Vunipola	England	8 - Loose Number 8	330	990	0
Danny Care	England	9 - Halfback	209	1045	16
Owen Farrell	England	10 - Fly-half	303	1515	64
George North	Wales	11 - Wing Left	268	1075	10
Jamie Roberts	Wales	12 - Centre Inside	266	1330	10
Michele Campagnaro	Italy	13 - Centre Outside	248	1240	10
Andrew Trimble	Ireland	14 - Wing Right	313	1565	15
Mike Brown	England	15 - Fullback	394	1970	20

Republished with permission www.testrugby.com and @superrugbytips