Week four of the 2019 Six Nations: Wales have put themselves in the driving seat with that memorable win over England but now Warren Gatland’s side face a wounded Scotland desperate to prove they can compete with the world’s best.
England are hot on their heels as the penultimate weekend gets underway. They play Italy at Twickenham — a side they have never lost to before — knowing only a win will do in their quest to wrestle back control of the tournament.
And don’t forget Ireland! Last year’s Grand Slam winners have hardly set the world alight this time round, but they play France in Dublin with a chance to heap pressure on England and Wales., though Les Bleus are targeting a resurgence after their win over Scotland.
The most important questions for ESPN’s Fantasy Rugby managers are answered below.
Fixtures
Saturday, March 9, 2.15pm GMT — Scotland vs. Wales
Saturday, March 9, 4.45pm GMT — England vs. Italy
Sunday, March 10, 3pm GMT — Italy vs. Ireland
Where am I going to score points?
Short answer: Twickenham. Long answer: Twickenham, London, late Saturday afternoon.
Eddie Jones has picked a supersized side that’s short on subtle but long on bosh for the match against Conor O’Shea’s Italy.
Te’o and Tuilagi are there to rip the heart out of Italy’s midfield, while Joe Cokanasiga is expected to run riot on the wing. Upfront, Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler would do damage to any opposing front row, and both are pretty dangerous in the loose, too.
It will be direct. It will be speedy. It won’t necessarily be pretty – but it should score plenty of Fantasy Rugby points.
Elsewhere, look north. Scotland against Wales has the makings of a high-scoring game, despite forecast rain in Edinburgh.
Who should I leave out?
Despite doing plenty right and little wrong, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade have been sacrificed to Eddie Jones’ big bang approach against Italy, while Greig Laidlaw has paid the price for Scotland’s big loss to France a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, be wary of overloading on French players, despite that win in Paris.
Dublin has not been a happy hunting ground for Les Bleus in recent years, though it may be worth giving a couple of young guns a punt — perhaps Demba Bamba, Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos.
Who should I bring in?
Two years ago, Finn Russell inspired Scotland to a 29-13 win over Wales at Murrayfield. After missing the France game with concussion, he looked sharp for Racing in the Six Nations’ fallow week.
With him marshalling proceedings from 10, and WP Nel back anchoring the scrum, Scotland will be a tough proposition.
Joe Launchbury has never let England down, and will quietly accumulate decent Fantasy Rugby points in the thunder at Twickenham. Expect a big game, too, from Brad Shields on his first start of the tournament.
Romantics may want to include Jonny Gray and Tommy Seymour as they make their 50th appearances for Scotland.
Rory Best is back for Ireland, too, in a battle for hooking supremacy with Guilhem Guirado.
Who should be my kicker?
The wise move would be to look to England.
Owen Farrell — a centre in the Fantasy Rugby tournament, but playing at 10 again — should have plenty of chances to shoot for goal. As he doesn’t miss many, that should mean plenty of Fantasy Rugby points.
Another Mr Reliable, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, should also score well, if France concede as many penalties at the Aviva as they did at Stade de France a fortnight ago.