Welcome to the latest FRG Rugby World Cup pre-match update. This is where we analyse the upcoming lineups, crunch the stats and see what the bookies are thinking to help you optimise your lineups for peak performance this week!
As mentioned in previous posts, while I will do all I can to only select starters, there is a limitation in the fact that lineups are only announced 48 hours prior to kick-off, and while I will make it clear where players are unconfirmed, make sure you double check the starting XV’s before you finalise your team. This is particularly challenging for those playing Superbru, as your team is locked in once the deadline passes. This is less of an issue for the Official game in which you can make changes even after the Round starts.
I will update this post as and when new teams are announced. This is the third version and is up to date as of 19:00 BST on 15th September.
Keep an eye out for the Round 3 tips which will go live on Tuesday 19th September.
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Potential mismatches Week 2 (14th-17th September)
A regular signature of Rugby World Cup pool stages are the mismatches, with many Tier 2 teams lining up against Tier 1 teams, there is often considerable potential for some big fantasy points hauls. Week 2 presents some huge opportunities.
Here are the matches in Week 2 and the handicap lines provided by the bookies…
- New Zealand to beat Namibia by 70 points
- South Africa to beat Romania by 68 points
- France to beat Uruguay by 58 points
- Ireland to beat Tonga by 36 points
- Samoa to beat Chile by 33 points
- Wales to beat Portugal by 31 points
- England to beat Japan by 20 points
- Australia to beat Fiji by 7 points
Blanking this round
Teams without a match this round are…
- Italy
- Georgia
- Scotland
- Argentina
Blanking in the next Round will be New Zealand, Romania, Fiji and Japan.
Expected to go well on the Official Game and SuperBru
These are the FRG weekly tips, I typically try to offer 2-3 good options for each positional slot, also taking into account players who may be playing favourably out of position (i.e. Players categorised as Centre playing in the Back 3).
Please note that some these picks have been published before lineups were announced, so some of these picks may not be playing – these players will have TBC beside them. Please double check the starting XV before you commit to your teams. I will update this list when TBC’s are Confirmed.
I will confirm my Captain pick in the second update on Thursday afternoon
PROP
- Andrew Porter (Ireland)
- Dillon Lewis (Wales)
- Vincent Koch (South Africa)
- Kyle Sinckler (England)
HOOKER
- Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)
- Pierre Bourgarit (France)
LOCKS
- Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
- Cameron Woki (France)
- Jean Kleyn (South Africa)
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Theo McFarland (Samoa)
BACK ROW
- Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Kwagga Smith (South Africa)
- Sekou Macalou (France)
- Anthony Jelonch (France)
- Fraser McReight (Australia)
- Josh Van Der Flier (Ireland)
- Ben Earl (England)
SCRUM-HALF
- Cam Roigard (New Zealand)
- Tomos Williams (Wales)
- Grant Williams (South Africa)*
FLY HALF
- Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
- Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
- Damian Willemse (South Africa)
CENTRES
- Mason Grady (Wales)
- David Havili (New Zealand)
- Yoram Moefana (France)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Danny Toala (Samoa)*
- Nigel Ah Wong (Samoa)*
OUTSIDE BACKS
- Melvyn Jaminet (France)
- Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Leicester Fainga’anuku (New Zealand)
- Caleb Clarke (New Zealand)
- Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)
- Gabin Villiere (France)
* Players who are categorised in a different position in some games but are starting in a potentially more favourable position to accumulate fantasy points (i.e. A centre on the wing)
RWC Official Fantasy Game Booster Recommendations for Round 2
Triple Captain – Damian McKenzie, Makazole Mapimpi, Caleb Clarke, Gabin Villiere, Louis Rees-Zammit
Kicker – Melvyn Jaminet, Damian McKenzie, Damian Willemse
Defender – Fraser McReight, Prince Gaoseb, Vlad Neculau
Additional SuperBru tips for Round 2
Compared to the Official Game, there are some additional constraints on SuperBru that make things slightly more challenging.
The first is that you can’t change your team after the start of the gameweek, and in many cases the lineups will not all be announced until after the gameweek lockout. So you are recommended to have your bench filled with guaranteed starters in case one of your starters is unconfirmed.
Secondly, during the pool stage you are limited to 6 transfers compared to unlimited in the actual game, so you would benefit from planning ahead. So focus on bringing in players with favourable fixtures and who don’t have a blank gameweek following.
General SuperBru Round 2 Recommended nations to select from for long term success…
Recommended nations for Round 2 (Great fixture this round): South Africa, France, Ireland, Samoa and Wales
Be cautious in Round 2 (Great fixture this round but blank next): New Zealand
Bring in with a long term view (Great fixtures coming up…): England
Avoid for Round 2 (Blanking this Round or next and with no big upside games this round): Italy, Scotland, Argentina, Georgia, Romania, Fiji and Japan
Under-the-radar pick
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France) – A raw attacking talent with huge try-scoring potential. At the age of just 20, Louis Bielle-Biarrey has made just 3 apperances at international level but has already opened his try account, scoring a great effort against Scotland. Installed to the starting line-up against massive underdogs Uruguay, Bielle-Biarrey is a great value enabler into the French attack and is well worth considering.
🔪 Louis Bielle-Biarrey slices through the Scotland defence for a try on debut! #SCOvFRA pic.twitter.com/CEIjHyJiui
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) August 5, 2023
If you back your Fantasy Rugby skills to lead you to Fantasy Rugby World Cup glory, then join our public fantasy leagues.
We have two set up, one on the Official Game, and one on Superbru.
To join, for Superbru you can join here and for the Official game you can join the FRG league here. Good luck!
Fantasy Rugby Games for Rugby World Cup
A summary of the top games that you can play fantasy rugby for the Rugby World Cup (this will update as more games are added)…
- SuperBru – An old favourite of fantasy rugby among other games and sports – Check out our review here.
- The Official Rugby World Cup Fantasy game – The official game, a salary cap style game – Check out our review here.
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If you want some more sources to help you finalise your decisions, go to our resources page where you’ll find all the Six Nations 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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