The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Raggs]

Most interesting for me will be the future stats. Apparently there's stuff on rucks listed.

Having access did confirm some theories for me and has influenced my decisions.

[Puja]

I'm a little bit worried about so many people on this board having access to accurate statistics. We might start getting opinions based on facts, which just seems weird.

Puja

[Stom]

OK, so barring injuries, my squad is complete. 33 players.

Interestingly...5 from Bath, 4 each from Worcester, Wasps and Quins, and none from Saints or LI.

[Scrumhead]

I'm not sure many people will be populating their squads with London Irish players ... I have none.

I think they're in for a tough season and even the players I was possibly open to taking a punt on like Lewington or Cokanasiga might not see enough of the ball to score well.

My squad is actually a nice balance with a player or two from every club except London Irish. I only have two Saracens and it feels slightly odd having more players from less successful clubs, but given the way the scoring works, it's a case of gauging who scores well individually.

[Stom]

I'm not sure many people will be populating their squads with London Irish players ... I have none.

I think they're in for a tough season and even the players I was possibly open to taking a punt on like Lewington or Cokanasiga might not see enough of the ball to score well.

My squad is actually a nice balance with a player or two from every club except London Irish. I only have two Saracens and it feels slightly odd having more players from less successful clubs, but given the way the scoring works, it's a case of gauging who scores well individually.

PPP, innit. Points per Pound!

lol.

But seriously, it is. You have to judge whether splurging 300k+ on a player is going to bring enough rewards...You may get enough back with Launch or Itoje, or George, Ford or Wade. But Peter Stringer? Or Joe Simpson? Or Farrell? etc. etc.

Especially if you can sell players for a profit.

[Scrumhead]

Come now Stom ... I'm sure you've now gathered that I'm a mega-geek/stats man ...

I'm not ashamed to say I've looked at the stats for points per games, calculated points per pound and also taken in to account whether a player is likely to play the same amount of games this year and various other considerations that may impact the stats.

Obviously as LI weren't in the Premiership last season there aren't any directly comparable stats, but I also think their players aren't especially cheap when it comes to taking a punt ... some are actually fairly pricey.

[Puja]

Obviously as LI weren't in the Premiership last season there aren't any directly comparable stats, but I also think their players aren't especially cheap when it comes to taking a punt ... some are actually fairly pricey.

You're right in that there's quite a few that are overpriced, but I think there are still a few worth investing in - maybe not as first choice players, but as ones to increase the budget when their prices rise. I've got TBC and Cokanasiga in my squad for that very reason.

I do like that the pricing reflects general (ignorant) public perception and deliberately overprices some and underprices others. I've dropped Manu out of mine, despite thinking he'll probably be a good bet for points scoring, on the basis that I can see a real risk of his value falling if/when he doesn't live up to his price tag.

Puja

[Digby]

This afternoon's ponderings, is Mark Jennings a bargain, and Bryce Heem Vs Joe Cokanasiga?

[Digby]

I still think the players are typically priced too cheap. I've a squad of 31, and I've still got £469k remaining in the budget

[Scrumhead]

Obviously as LI weren't in the Premiership last season there aren't any directly comparable stats, but I also think their players aren't especially cheap when it comes to taking a punt ... some are actually fairly pricey.

You're right in that there's quite a few that are overpriced, but I think there are still a few worth investing in - maybe not as first choice players, but as ones to increase the budget when their prices rise. I've got TBC and Cokanasiga in my squad for that very reason.

I do like that the pricing reflects general (ignorant) public perception and deliberately overprices some and underprices others. I've dropped Manu out of mine, despite thinking he'll probably be a good bet for points scoring, on the basis that I can see a real risk of his value falling if/when he doesn't live up to his price tag.

Puja

I haven't seen jngf in this thread but he's definitely signing Tom Croft whatever he costs and is definitely playing him at 7 even if Tigers aren't!

Seriously though, I like the fact that we all seem to have slightly different approaches.

I have a good few unglamourous 'Moneyball' players who are relatively cheap, but will play regularly and accumulate points. In the main, I'm speculating on the proven but unheralded players instead of the young hopefuls.

[bitts]

This afternoon's ponderings, is Mark Jennings a bargain, and Bryce Heem Vs Joe Cokanasiga?

I've often preferred players who can play more than one position. So I'd go Heem. The way the scoring is winger is one position where I'd prefer them to be in a side that is going to win the majority of it's games.

[bitts]

What I'm flip flopping on is players like Britz and Goneva. They had quality seasons last year but at some point age is going to catch up with them and I'd hate to splurge big money on bit part players.

[switchskier]

What's the status of Johnny Williams at LI? Likely to play much this year? Feel like he might be a decent squad player but not sure about his injury status.

[Puja]

What's the status of Johnny Williams at LI? Likely to play much this year? Feel like he might be a decent squad player but not sure about his injury status.

I'd actually be interested in that from a non-fantasy rugby perspective. Feels like he went from massive excitement and promise in 15-16, right up to "Will Wales poach him?" level, to not really appearing in any of the key games for Irish in their promotion year, with TBC preferred at 12 it seemed.

Puja

[Raggs]

Ryan Mills likely to be out for 4-5 weeks, due to injuries sustained in the England training camp in May... Eddie is breaking a lot of players in these camps, long term injuries too.

[Digby]

This afternoon's ponderings, is Mark Jennings a bargain, and Bryce Heem Vs Joe Cokanasiga?

I've often preferred players who can play more than one position. So I'd go Heem. The way the scoring is winger is one position where I'd prefer them to be in a side that is going to win the majority of it's games.

They're both winger/centre options.

And on the latter I've not really looked into the scoring model. If I did I'd likely waste a lot of time mapping out possible scores so best to ignore for me.

[Raggs]

Bargains are only bargains if they play (preferably start). Is Jennings likely to play for Sale?

I've picked a team, and noticed I really don't have much spare depth in my backline, going to need to try and find a forward to fire.

[Digby]

Jennings has looked like he should play more imo, but now they've Charnley and Solomoan too it's not as easy to make a case for him. And Addison was named captain.

[bitts]

This afternoon's ponderings, is Mark Jennings a bargain, and Bryce Heem Vs Joe Cokanasiga?

I've often preferred players who can play more than one position. So I'd go Heem. The way the scoring is winger is one position where I'd prefer them to be in a side that is going to win the majority of it's games.

They're both winger/centre options.

And on the latter I've not really looked into the scoring model. If I did I'd likely waste a lot of time mapping out possible scores so best to ignore for me.

Isn't Cokanasinga just a winger in the game? Looks like that for me?

[Digby]

Sorry, was thinking of Jennings.

[Raggs]

I've liked Jennings for a while, but he seems to be bench material at best in Diamond's opinion.

[Digby]

I've liked Jennings for a while, but he seems to be bench material at best in Diamond's opinion.

Doesn't seem to be viewed as physical enough to warrant a more regular starting berth . Dimes has a number of similar sized options there now, and I don't know one especially gets the impression he knows what he wants to do with them, nor even how they're supposed to play. It didn't help in fairness to lose Cips

[Scrumhead]

This may be a crap idea, but how about we all nominate a couple of players to create a 'Rugby Rebels' squad of complete gambles?

I'm thinking of players who didn't play in the Premiership last season or have been out injured for ages.

For example, something like:

1. Gordon Reid (London Irish)
2. Christopher Tolofua (Saracens)
3. Ben Franks (London Irish)
4. Valentino Mapapalangi (London Irish)
5. Will Skelton (Saracens)
6. Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester)
7. Jono Ross (Sale)
8. Josh Strauss (Sale)
9. Nic White (Exeter)
10. Demetri Catrakilis (Harlequins)
11. Liam Williams (Saracens)
12. Piers Francis (Northampton)
13. Francis Saili (Harlequins)
14. Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
15. James O'Connor (Sale)

Could be fun, could be a terrible idea. What do you reckon???

[Bloggs]

I'm disturbed by seeing lots of names in the league, and not knowing which of you guys each of them is.

[Scrumhead]

Mine is one of the anonymous ones. Presumably it reverts to team names when the season starts?