The Rugby Magazine - Fantasy Rugby

[Peej]

Thanks, I've joined

[Shiny]

I’ve joined. Thanks for creating it.

[Scrumhead]

No worries. I’ve posted on the other forums to get them to join the league.

[Puja]

It's actually harder to do without a salary cap to limit you. I've found myself going for a load of really obvious famous players that I wouldn't normally touch in this sort of game.

Also, am I the only one not to have noticed till now that the scoring's changed this season? Turnovers and passes have both been downgraded. Explains a few of the lower scores that I've been puzzling over.

Puja

[Stom]

So tackling machines and hard carriers, then

[Peej]

It's actually harder to do without a salary cap to limit you. I've found myself going for a load of really obvious famous players that I wouldn't normally touch in this sort of game.

Also, am I the only one not to have noticed till now that the scoring's changed this season? Turnovers and passes have both been downgraded. Explains a few of the lower scores that I've been puzzling over.

Puja

I'm a bit disappointed that there's no salary cap. It was much more fun when you try and balance the books, and then you can sometimes get an abolsute gem for next to nothing. Last season, for example, I played the Natwest 6 Nations fantasy rugby (which has a horrible interface) and you could get players like Simmonds, Navidi and Steff Evans for nothing, and they all racked up big scores. This way, I think we're going to end up with a lot of us picking the same players. You really shouldn't be able to pick both Farrell and Sexton, for example.

How do the transfers work in this version? Is it still one a week?

[Puja]

It's actually harder to do without a salary cap to limit you. I've found myself going for a load of really obvious famous players that I wouldn't normally touch in this sort of game.

Also, am I the only one not to have noticed till now that the scoring's changed this season? Turnovers and passes have both been downgraded. Explains a few of the lower scores that I've been puzzling over.

Puja

I'm a bit disappointed that there's no salary cap. It was much more fun when you try and balance the books, and then you can sometimes get an abolsute gem for next to nothing. Last season, for example, I played the Natwest 6 Nations fantasy rugby (which has a horrible interface) and you could get players like Simmonds, Navidi and Steff Evans for nothing, and they all racked up big scores. This way, I think we're going to end up with a lot of us picking the same players. You really shouldn't be able to pick both Farrell and Sexton, for example.

How do the transfers work in this version? Is it still one a week?

It is just one transfer (or -20pts per extra). The restriction is going to be when you want to transfer a Scot out and an Englishman in, but you've hit your limit.

I would've preferred a cap or some kind of limit too. Like you said, half the joy's in finding bargains and outsmarting the structure. Anyone can pick a top scorer - it's balancing if they're good enough for the cost that's the tricky bit.

Although I don't know why you'd want both Farrell and Sexton - you can only get points for one kicker and Farrell's going to lose you loads for missed tackles.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I agree. I understand why there was no salary-based system but players could have been given some kind of ratings by which to differentiate them.

The skill in this is going to be more down to match day selection than picking the gems.

It’ll be interested to see if some of the lessons learned from the existing game translate across and give the regular players an advantage.

[Stom]

You've still got to pick 4+ Italians...

AND cover the entire squad.

That's the tricky bit.

Anyone know where I can find stats on the Pro14 and Top14? As I don't watch much of either...well, none of the Top 14...

[Stom]

So...England's selection makes it easier to choose the players now. Just waiting on the others and it's time to pick your 28.

[Stom]

So all the teams are out, has everyone selected their squad?

And, more importantly, which Italian makeweights have you selected? 0 in my 23, it seems.

[Puja]

I've actually got a relatively even split, with my starters being 5 Scots, 4 Irish, 3 English, and an Italian (3 French, 2 Welsh, 2 English and and Irishman). I've gambled on Dave Sisi for Italy - he's starting lock, so he gets the bonus on passes and metres, should be a lineout target and handy round the field. And there's no doubt that the Italians will be doing a bit of tackling!

Just now undecided between Laidlaw and Parra for scrum-half and kicker. I think France might be doing a lot of kicking for posts, but I'm unsure if it'll be Parra or Lopez who'll be doing it.

Puja

[Peej]

I think it'll be Parra

[Scrumhead]

Yeah. I’d have thought Parra too.

I’ve gone for a pretty even split in my 23 too. I’ve got 5 each from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland with 3 from France (0 Italians this week).

[Shiny]

Starting I have 4 English, 5 irish, 2 welsh, 2 French, 2 scots and no Italians. My bench is 1 English, 2 welsh, 3 Italians and 1 French. All my starters are starters and I have all starters on my bench too bar one real sub.

[Stom]

I'm very tempted to get rid of a couple of my better players (Irish, English, Welsh) and fill their spots with Italians and/or French to give more flexibility later...The only question is who...

And, Puja, has Dave Sisi been put down as a lock now? As he was only listed as a flanker...

[Puja]

I'm very tempted to get rid of a couple of my better players (Irish, English, Welsh) and fill their spots with Italians and/or French to give more flexibility later...The only question is who...

And, Puja, has Dave Sisi been put down as a lock now? As he was only listed as a flanker...

He's only listed as a flanker, but the points are scored based on where they're actually selected, not where FR says they can play.

Puja

[Stom]

I'm very tempted to get rid of a couple of my better players (Irish, English, Welsh) and fill their spots with Italians and/or French to give more flexibility later...The only question is who...

And, Puja, has Dave Sisi been put down as a lock now? As he was only listed as a flanker...

He's only listed as a flanker, but the points are scored based on where they're actually selected, not where FR says they can play.

Puja

Yeah, but I've kind of selected my 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 20 already...only really want to replace my bench lock. Unless I get rid of one of the good players to free up that "cap" space for next week...

[Peej]

I've got a starting lineup of 4 Irish, 3 English, 4 Scots, 3 Welsh and 1 Italian.

Feel as though I have goof flexibility, and have some players on the bench and not selected who I can slot in that might help we score points when others are maybe struggling on later weeks.

[Puja]

I've got a starting lineup of 4 Irish, 3 English, 4 Scots, 3 Welsh and 1 Italian.

Feel as though I have goof flexibility, and have some players on the bench and not selected who I can slot in that might help we score points when others are maybe struggling on later weeks.

Who's your Italian?

Puja

[Peej]

Sisi. I think he's going to rack up a lot of tackling points!

[Stom]

Typical. Was trying to decide between LWilliams and Huget in the 23 shirt. Went for the Welshman, who failed to score and now Huget scores. Bummer.

[Mellsblue]

There’s no need for homophobic insults.

[Stom]

There’s no need for homophobic insults.

Lol.

[Peej]

I've got Fofana, Iturria and Picamoles, but they're all on the bench! Hoping some of the Welsh players pull their fingers out in the second half!