And away we go! Premiership Rugby is back! After the longest of summers, club rugby is back and we couldn’t be more excited. For those new to Fantasy Rugby Geek, this is the first instalment of our weekly pre-match updates where we analyse the weekend’s lineups, crunch the stats and see what the bookies are thinking to help you optimise your lineups for peak performance this weekend! By the time you finish this article you should have all the insight you need to score big fantasy points this weekend.
Make sure you come back every weekend before finalising your lineups!
Potential mismatches
Being the first weekend of the season and with no form to work off (never trust pre-season), no indication as to how new signings will adapt to the league/new teams and uncertainty as to how Bristol Bears will go, the opening weekend should be a learning experience for all. With this in mind the bookies have been cagey when pricing the handicap margins for the first round with no team being given more than a 10 point handicap (for an explanation of why looking at the handicap points spread can be valuable, check out Rule 7 of our 10 Golden Rules of Fantasy Rugby).
Despite this, there is still some potential for some large fantasy hauls around the league.
As far as the bookies are concerned, the most nailed on win this weekend will be at Exeter‘s fortress Sandy Park, where they host a Leicester side looking for an upturn in fortunes after a disappointing few years by their very high standards. Exeter have been given an expected 9 point win.
Sarries are expected to start the season off in winning ways as they travel to Kingston Park to face Newcastle Falcons. They have been given an 8 point expected win, despite Newcastle’s tremendous performance last year.
Gloucester were outstanding at Kingsholm last year, so following a summer of some blockbuster signings, the bookies have given them a 7 point expected win over Northampton Saints.
Over at Sixways, Wasps are the first team to face the favourites for the drop, Worcester. Wasps are already struggling with injuries, and Worcester have strengthened well, but despite this, Wasps should still have enough class to see off the home side. The bookies agree giving them a 7 point handicap spread.
The opening game of the season on Friday night sees the newcomers, Bristol Bears, welcome Bath, in a mouthwatering West Country battle. Bristol are a significantly stronger prospect than 2 years ago, however now without their injured star man Charles Piutau, Bath will be confident that they can put them to the sword. The bookies have given Bath a 6 point spread.
Finally, the closest matchup is at the Stoop, where the bookies expect the under-new-management Quins to squeak past Sale Sharks by 3 points. Sale have bolstered well (although are without Chris Ashton for an extended period) and possess great depth in a red hot back line, this one is too close to call.
Expected to go well
*Players who are starting favourably out of position (i.e. Hooker in back row, Centre on wing, etc.)
Please note that these picks have been published before lineups were announced, so some of these picks may not be playing. Please double check the starting XV before you commit to your teams, or check back here at 1pm BST.
Recommended captain pick in bold
FRONT ROW
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Vincent Koch (Saracens)
Alex Waller (Northampton)
Harry Thacker (Bristol)
Jamie George (Saracens)
LOCKS
Sam Skinner (Exeter)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Will Spencer (Leicester)
BACK ROW
Sam Simmonds (Exeter)
Zach Mercer (Bath)
Nizaam Carr (Wasps)
Ben Curry (Sale)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
SCRUM-HALF
Dan Robson (Wasps)
Ben Spencer (Saracens)
Nic White (Exeter)
FLY HALF
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Gareth Steenson (Exeter)
Billy Searle (Wasps)
CENTRES
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
Henry Trinder (Gloucester)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
OUTSIDE BACKS
Olly Woodburn (Exeter)
Nathan Earle (Harlequins)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)
Christian Wade (Wasps)
Byron McGuigan (Sale)
Jason Woodward (Gloucester)
Top 5 most likely to score (Odds via Paddy Power – 6/6 matches with odds confirmed)
- 1 – David Strettle (Saracens) – 1.8
- 2= – Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath) – 1.83
- 2= – Christian Wade (Wasps) – 1.83
- 4 – Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 1.91
- 5= – Josh Adams (Worcester) – 2.2
- 5= – Josh Bassett (Wasps) – 2.2
Looking to join a competitive fantasy rugby league and win some stash while you are at it? Then join our public fantasy league on The Rugby Magazine fantasy game. Sign up to the game here & go to public leagues and join “Fantasy Rugby Geek”, a Fantasy Rugby Geek Trucker Hat will be on offer for the winners of each league. Learn more about The Rugby Magazine’s Fantasy Game with our overview here.
Good luck!
Looking for more Fantasy Rugby insight and Resources?
New for the 2018/19 season, we are proud to present the The Fantasy Rugby Geek Guide to Fantasy Rugby. An exhaustive collection of wisdom and experience gained from over a decade of fantasy rugby playing. Primarily aimed at less experienced players but with enough nuggets of wisdom and insight for even the most grizzled fantasy rugby veteran. There is something here for all players. The eBook is available to download now for £4.99 on Gumroad as a PDF and on Amazon in Kindle format – check it out!
If you want some more sources to help you finalise your decisions, go to our resources page where you’ll find all this year’s Gallagher Premiership fantasy games, all the stats sources, injury news, team news, fantasy relevant rugby betting odds and tons of other useful information.
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