Last weekend saw the climax of the Fantasy Rugby Draft Aviva Premiership season take place, with the Finals of all the leagues taking place for the honour of winning the coveted and all important +1 in the “Trophies” column of the league tables. While people like the Fantasy Rugby Geek himself managed to scrape through with a beyond lucky 0.1 point winning margin…
@FantasyRugDraft I will take my two wins but this one hurts. Not even Saracens front row could save me pic.twitter.com/HftWFzIVDx
— LondonIrishBlog (@LondonIrishBlog) April 30, 2018
…it was all together far more plain sailing for several other managers…
🏆LEADERBOARD: Premiership Rugby
It’s here! The Top 10 @FantasyRugDraft Managers for the 2017/18 season.
If you won, let us know if you want to find out where you ranked overall.
Enjoy the offseason. The beach is a great place for draft preparation… pic.twitter.com/a36Mw2Hmgk— Fantasy Rugby Draft 🏉 (@FantasyRugDraft) May 1, 2018
…not least for the man in top spot, Bryn Williams, who managed to take top spot in the highest performing league, the Eggchasers Rugby Podcast‘s very own “LTBP” league. We had the pleasure of getting in touch with Bryn, who gave us some insight into what it takes to beat thousands of other avid fantasy rugby experts and take top spot, as the competition came to it’s close…
FRG: Are you a regular fantasy rugby player?
Bryn: I wouldn’t say I am a regular. I’ve only ever played Fantasy Rugby Draft and this is my second season after JB from the eggchasers invited me to get involved last year.
FRG: Did you have a strategy when you drafted your team or was it more a case of going with your gut feeling with the players available?
Bryn: I didn’t really have a strategy. Sarries Front Row took me to the title last year so they where my one big hope for this season and managed to pick them up with the 7th pick. Doubt they will go outside of the top 3 next season however.
FRG: What was your best moment of the season in context of the fantasy game?
Bryn: I drafted really poorly at fly-half picking up Piers Francis and Tim Swiel both of whom hardly figured before Christmas. I was able to trade Juan De Jongh for Rhys Priestland early in the season and he managed to keep out Burns and score well enough that my poor fly half draft was never a big issue.
FRG: Who was your best performing player of the season?
Bryn: Without a doubt it was Sarries FR, however Telusa Veainu and Josh Adams where also stellar performers.
FRG: What was your best waiver/free agent pick up for your fantasy team this year?
Bryn: Definitely Zach Mercer. I drafted Billy Vunipola and Ben Morgan but neither of them played much, Zach Mercer turned out to be one of the best Loose Forwards in the game.
FRG: If there’s one single tip that you’d give to a new Fantasy Rugby Draft manager, what would it be?
Bryn: Be on your computer at 12pm on a Friday when teams are announced to pick up any quality, starting free agents.
FRG: What players will you be keeping an eye on in the early rounds of next season’s draft?
Bryn: Sam Simmonds will only get better in my eyes and for that matter his brother Joe too. Both are tailor made to pile on the points in FRD.
FRG: Did you use any specific websites or resources to help your team planning?
Bryn: I mainly use Twitter for team announcements so I know who my starters are and where I need to pick up free agents or negotiate trades.
A massive thanks to Bryn Williams for taking the time out to be interviewed. You can follow Bryn on twitter at https://twitter.com/bryno_williams.
Love Stash???
In addition to stocking all of the kit for the new season, Lovell Rugby are currently running some great weekly deals, where there are some amazing bargains to be had, as well as the remainder of their end of season sale with up 80% off all kinds of great kit including rugby boots, international & club rugby shirts, protection, coaching, training, nutrition and rugby leisurewear. Don’t sleep on these amazing deals and get over to Lovell Rugby!
Looking for more Fantasy Rugby insight and Resources?
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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