The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Raggs]

Considering Stringer now, but have chosen to wait and see those first lineups.

[Puja]

Significantly, Robson got a lot of assists last season too, often like Wade, he'll pass to a guy in a better position to finish rather than try and force it himself. Think they're 5 points each?

Should have left Puja with Willi and kept that to myself :p

Anyone else want some obvious tips?

I'll trade you for a tip on Faf de Klerk. He's quite cheap, definitely Sale's undisputed no 1, they love some possession rugby so there'll be lots of passes, and he'll be a good solid subs bench option.

Puja

[Stom]

Significantly, Robson got a lot of assists last season too, often like Wade, he'll pass to a guy in a better position to finish rather than try and force it himself. Think they're 5 points each?

Should have left Puja with Willi and kept that to myself :p

Anyone else want some obvious tips?

I'll trade you for a tip on Faf de Klerk. He's quite cheap, definitely Sale's undisputed no 1, they love some possession rugby so there'll be lots of passes, and he'll be a good solid subs bench option.

Puja

Faf isn't so cheap, though. And my backup is Robson I can fiddle with that at a later date, but I think I've got the right balance at SH. May make a switch in my 3rd SH, but that's it.

[Puja]

They're quick off the mark - Mapapalangi is now on there and May and Slater are in for Leicester and Glaws respectively.

Puja

[Digby]

Faf isn't that cheap other than a lot of players seem quite cheap. I've got a 32 (ish) man squad and had no problem going that high with cash leftover, and Faf is one of the players I included, though I'd more likely start with Wiggle

[Digby]

Is Mullan good value is my question for this afternoon?

[Scrumhead]

Mullan wouldn't be bad as he'll play a decent amount of games but I don't know if he'd score too much more than cheaper props from less glamorous sides?

His defensive stats will be decent but the attacking ones will be average - he's not a noted carrier and is unlikely to make many passes or score tries, so for what he costs, I can think of better investments.

I'm happy with 95% of my squad. Unless injuries hit I can only see myself sticking with most, if not all the players I have now.

My only real question marks are around how to balance my squad - i.e. how many of each position do I need and should I spend all the money or leave a little in reserve?

It's the little things like whether I need 2 or 3 hookers or 2 or 3 at scrum half. I also seem to be back row heavy but then most of them cover 8 or lock too so it's a balancing act.

[Puja]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

[bitts]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

I thought your salery cap was always 7m? So you can't actually make a profit on a player.

[Stom]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

Shh. Don't give away our secrets!

The first team I picked included all those undervalued players, plus more like Hammersley. But I dropped a few as I had a shed load of cash left over, so I could bring in some big guns.

Again, as Scrumhead, I'm 95% good to go. Question marks at prop, SH, wing and hooker (injury permitting), but the general makeup of the team is stable, and I think I'm sticking with at least 28 of my players almost permanently (injury permitting).

[Puja]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

I thought your salery cap was always 7m? So you can't actually make a profit on a player.

I've just reread the rules and it's... ambiguous. Have written an e-mail to check and see.

Puja

[Stom]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

I thought your salery cap was always 7m? So you can't actually make a profit on a player.

I've just reread the rules and it's... ambiguous. Have written an e-mail to check and see.

Puja

As I understood, you sell a player for what they are worth at that time...

[Puja]

Word of God says...

I'm a little bit confused about how the salary cap works with players changing value. Say I pick a side for the full £7m cap, including Joe Marchant, whom I think is very undervalued at £167k. He has a belting start to the year, scores tries by the bucketload and you bring his value up to £217k. He then picks up an injury and I decide to transfer him out and get someone else in. Do I have £217k to spend? Or do I only have the £167k that I bought him for?

Hi Puja

This is a tacit nod to clubs that manage to squeeze a little more out of their salary caps compared to others. If as you say you were to sell Joe Marchant for an increased value, you would retain his value at the time of selling, not his original value. You then have extra money to spend.

This means that you can make money on the likes of Maro Itoje at the beginning of the season, and then use this to expand your squad over the course of the season. Another facet to make th le game deeper.

The wording on the help section (which can always be clarified further) is based on other fantasy games (Premier League football for example) that have transfer fees on the amount you make from increased values.

But ultimately, I wanted to reward those that want to play the game and put their time into it.

Equally in terms of rewards, I want to give to those that know rugby. Some players are deliberately undervalued to reward those with a good knowledge of the league and filter the users who are going to select a team based on reputation, so take the values with a pinch of salt, there are some inflated values too.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

Shh. Don't give away our secrets!

The first team I picked included all those undervalued players, plus more like Hammersley. But I dropped a few as I had a shed load of cash left over, so I could bring in some big guns.

Again, as Scrumhead, I'm 95% good to go. Question marks at prop, SH, wing and hooker (injury permitting), but the general makeup of the team is stable, and I think I'm sticking with at least 28 of my players almost permanently (injury permitting).

To be honest, I don't think there are many secrets on here. We're all pretty clued up on which players represent value for money and which young players are worth the investment.

I expect our league to be very tight, which will keep it more interesting.

Facebook isn't my favourite thing, but I'm glad I found this game - I think it will provide plenty of talking points and added interest over the course of the season.

Also, I like the idea that canny players will be rewarded for investing in young talent and hidden gems.

[Stom]

I've gone with the assumption that I need 3 of every specialist position - one to start, one to bench, and one for if one of the others is rotated/injured.

I'm actually quite intrigued with the idea of treating it like a stock-market and buying those that I think are undervalued. Players like Ribbans, Witty, Curry, Curry and Simmonds are criminally undervalued, so is it worth stacking your squad with them and then selling them later and being able to field a team of superstars for the run-in?

Puja

Shh. Don't give away our secrets!

The first team I picked included all those undervalued players, plus more like Hammersley. But I dropped a few as I had a shed load of cash left over, so I could bring in some big guns.

Again, as Scrumhead, I'm 95% good to go. Question marks at prop, SH, wing and hooker (injury permitting), but the general makeup of the team is stable, and I think I'm sticking with at least 28 of my players almost permanently (injury permitting).

To be honest, I don't think there are many secrets on here. We're all pretty clued up on which players represent value for money and which young players are worth the investment.

I expect our league to be very tight, which will keep it more interesting.

Facebook isn't my favourite thing, but I'm glad I found this game - I think it will provide plenty of talking points and added interest over the course of the season.

Also, I like the idea that canny players will be rewarded for investing in young talent and hidden gems.

Most of you have an advantage over me. I don't get to see any matches live anymore... Sometimes I may get one every now and again, but keeping the kids that still for that long isn't difficult...it's impossible!

[Puja]

Shh. Don't give away our secrets!

The first team I picked included all those undervalued players, plus more like Hammersley. But I dropped a few as I had a shed load of cash left over, so I could bring in some big guns.

Again, as Scrumhead, I'm 95% good to go. Question marks at prop, SH, wing and hooker (injury permitting), but the general makeup of the team is stable, and I think I'm sticking with at least 28 of my players almost permanently (injury permitting).

To be honest, I don't think there are many secrets on here. We're all pretty clued up on which players represent value for money and which young players are worth the investment.

I expect our league to be very tight, which will keep it more interesting.

Facebook isn't my favourite thing, but I'm glad I found this game - I think it will provide plenty of talking points and added interest over the course of the season.

Also, I like the idea that canny players will be rewarded for investing in young talent and hidden gems.

Most of you have an advantage over me. I don't get to see any matches live anymore... Sometimes I may get one every now and again, but keeping the kids that still for that long isn't difficult...it's impossible!

I feel your pain - my youngsters are the same. I have to pay exorbitant amounts for Sky and Sky Plus so I can record them and watch them after bedtime.

Puja

[Stom]

To be honest, I don't think there are many secrets on here. We're all pretty clued up on which players represent value for money and which young players are worth the investment.

I expect our league to be very tight, which will keep it more interesting.

Facebook isn't my favourite thing, but I'm glad I found this game - I think it will provide plenty of talking points and added interest over the course of the season.

Also, I like the idea that canny players will be rewarded for investing in young talent and hidden gems.

Most of you have an advantage over me. I don't get to see any matches live anymore... Sometimes I may get one every now and again, but keeping the kids that still for that long isn't difficult...it's impossible!

I feel your pain - my youngsters are the same. I have to pay exorbitant amounts for Sky and Sky Plus so I can record them and watch them after bedtime.

Puja

After bedtime. Lol.

We did manage to watch Game of Thrones last night. But I generally have max. 1 hour at night. So I rely on highlights for domestic games. England is a different matter.

[Puja]

Most of you have an advantage over me. I don't get to see any matches live anymore... Sometimes I may get one every now and again, but keeping the kids that still for that long isn't difficult...it's impossible!

I feel your pain - my youngsters are the same. I have to pay exorbitant amounts for Sky and Sky Plus so I can record them and watch them after bedtime.

Puja

After bedtime. Lol.

We did manage to watch Game of Thrones last night. But I generally have max. 1 hour at night. So I rely on highlights for domestic games. England is a different matter.

Ah, it's like that, is it? You have my sympathies.

Puja

[Beasties]

Feeling the pain guys. Imagine a world without Sky Plus

[Bloggs]

This looks quality, I'll sign up before the season starts!

Can your squad be part of 2 separate private leagues? Will do own with friends too.

[Scrumhead]

Yes - definitely. I'm in 2 already.

I'm genuinely impressed by the game and the developer is really responsive.

I asked him to add/change some players and he's always done it within a few hours.

[Puja]

This looks quality, I'll sign up before the season starts!

Can your squad be part of 2 separate private leagues? Will do own with friends too.

Since I imagine scrum-head's already got enough referrals to get the free upgrade, would you mind signing up with my code? Either use this link: http://ru.gbymag.com/f/83562 or go to the referrals page and stick in this code: 83562. Cheers!

Puja

[Bloggs]

This looks quality, I'll sign up before the season starts!

Can your squad be part of 2 separate private leagues? Will do own with friends too.

Since I imagine scrum-head's already got enough referrals to get the free upgrade, would you mind signing up with my code? Either use this link: http://ru.gbymag.com/f/83562 or go to the referrals page and stick in this code: 83562. Cheers!

Puja

Done on the mutual understanding that when we do 2017/18 predictions, my awful predicting isn't revisited at the end of next season

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - I have the free upgrade. I'll remove the referral code from the OP, so go with Puja's one.

The updgrade is decent but probably won't tell you that much you won't already have guessed. My squad has barely changed since I got the updgrade. If anything it was a reassurance given that I have very few big names in my squad.

As I'm a mega-geek, I'd already done a spreadsheet with some stats for last season anyway.

That said, a players points from last season don't count for anything unless they back it up the season. I expect the likes of Wade and Roko to be up there at the top of the try-scoring charts again, but there are quite a few players that had good seasons that may not be able to replicate them.

[Puja]

Yeah - I have the free upgrade. I'll remove the referral code from the OP, so go with Puja's one.

The updgrade is decent but probably won't tell you that much you won't already have guessed. My squad has barely changed since I got the updgrade. If anything it was a reassurance given that I have very few big names in my squad.

Thanks. I'll be honest, the upgrade is mostly of interest to me for the feature where it tells you who's injured and what the selections are. It'd be useful having that inbuilt to the system, rather than having to wait for the match threads to pop up on here.

Puja