What we learnt in fantasy rugby this week – Aviva Premiership Round 8

Fantasy Rugby Geekon

Another week in Premiership Rugby, and this is what we learnt…

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter put away a hugely impressive performance against a surprisingly competitive Quins side at Sandy Park on Sunday. Demonstrating an impressive depth of squad strength, despite missing the likes of Slade, Williams and Simmonds, Chiefs stretched away in the second half leaving Quins in their wake.

Stand out performances came from two of this season’s most reliable fantasy rugby assets, Man of the Match Olly Woodburn (A huge 205m gained, 4 clean breaks, 7 defenders beaten, a phenomenal try-saving tackle and a try to top it off) and Don Armand (16 tackles made as well as good metres gained, line break, defenders beaten and lineout won contributions), as well as an impressive return to form for Phil Dollman (2 try assists, 87m gained and 6 defenders beaten).

Next up for the Chiefs is a visit to Allianz Park to face Sarries, normally a daunting prospect, but with Saracens shorn of so much international talent, Exeter will be bullish that they can utilise their squad depth to come away with a win.

Marcus Smith

When will the Smith hyperbole stop? On the basis of Sunday’s performance, a while yet. Smith once again belied his lack of experience with a composed and daring performance, keeping Quins in the game against a rampant Exeter Chiefs. He now seems to be the nailed on first choice for John Kingston’s men (unless Eddie Jones decides to give him a taste of international rugby this weekend, which is now a matter of when rather than if) and is proving himself to be reliable with the boot as well as creative with ball in hand.

On Sunday he made 2 try assists, made his highest metres gained of the season, and remains composed from the kicking tee. With every week that goes by, this prococious talent grows in confidence, and is unquestionably one to watch in fantasy terms.

Sarries Front Row

No matter what combination is starting, as sure as day follows night, you can count on the Saracens Front Row to dominate. Despite coming unstuck at what is becoming an absolute fortress at Kingsholm, this week’s Sarries Front Row combination of Barrington, Brits and Figallo still tucked away 29.3 points. The front row’s top performer was undoubtedly the ageless Schalk Brits, who put in yet another astonishing performance with 19 tackles made, 34m gained, 13 Lineouts Won, 2 line breaks, 5 defenders beaten and a try to top it off. Brits was this week’s highest scorer in the Rugby Magazine game, and with Jamie George on England duty for another week, is an essential pickup for Round 9.

Wasps

Despite boasting a ludicrously talented back line, Wasps have flattered to deceive this season, looking disjointed and uninterested at times. This high-potential back line kicked into gear in a big way on Saturday against Newcastle, putting away 40 points, and between the 5 of them Christian Wade, Josh Bassett, Wille Le Roux, Jimmy Gopperth and the returning Kyle Eastmond scored a monstrous total of 126.9 Fantasy Rugby Draft points, averaging 25.4 each.

With London Irish next up, Wasps seems to be hitting form at the right time, and if they keep this form up, you could do a lot worse than to bring in some of their scintillating back line.

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