Wales’ Josh Adams proved why he is the must-have man for Guinness Six Nations Fantasy Rugby managers in Round 1 with a dominant showing against Italy elevating him straight to the top of the standings.
The Cardiff Blues winger notched a stunning hat-trick of tries as the defending Grand Slam champions swept aside the Azzurri 42-0 in Cardiff, and besides topping the try-scoring ranks he also equalled the most try assists on the Championship’s opening weekend, with two.
His impressive performance was suitably rewarded with a massive 108.8 points, ahead of fellow countrymen Leigh Halfpenny (79.2) and George North (91.5) who also made the top Fantasy Rugby XV backline.
Justin Tipuric was named the official Guinness Player of the Match in Cardiff for a typically battling display at flanker, and having made 17 successful tackles is named as Wales’ fourth representative in the Fantasy Rugby XV with 70.6 points.
Joining the Ospreys stalwart in the back row are Ireland’s CJ Stander (75.1 points) and France skipper Charles Ollivon (85.6) after both of their teams got off to winning starts against Scotland and England respectively.
Ireland were far from their best and were somewhat fortunate to edge past last year’s fifth-place side, but Stander rose to the occasion after young debutant Caelan Doris was forced off in the game’s early stages.
The Munster star made the most carries of the round (17), while his two turnovers – including one that saved the game late on – made him a valuable Fantasy Rugby pick with 75.1 points.
Elsewhere in the pack, there is further room for Irish representation with James Ryan’s workmanlike effort gaining him 52.7 points, while Bundee Aki claims a spot in midfield with 57.2 points.
New Irish skipper Johnny Sexton was Ireland’s sole scorer in Dublin with a try and 14 points from his boot, and having inspired his team to victory is named at fly-half in the Fantasy Rugby XV with 63.8 points.
Despite having left the Aviva Stadium with only a losing bonus point, Scotland’s determined defensive display sees three of their men earn places in the XV, with Jonny Gray (33.8 points) named in the second row, and Rory Sutherland (23.6) and Zander Fagerson (19.1) as props.
Completing the front row is France’s Julien Marchand (25.1 points), while compatriots Antoine Dupont (44.4) and Gael Fickou (43.6) complete the XV for their part in a stunning win over 2019 Rugby World Cup runners-up England.
15. L. Halfpenny (Wales) – 79.2 pts
14. G. North (Wales) – 91.5 pts
13. B. Aki (Ireland) – 57.2 pts
12. G. Fickou (France) – 43.6 pts
11. J. Adams (Wales) – 108.8 pts
10. J. Sexton (Ireland) – 63.8 pts
9. A. Dupont (France) – 44.4 pts
1. Z. Fagerson (Scotland) – 19.1 pts
2. J. Marchand (France) – 25.1 pts
3. R. Sutherland (Scotland) – 23.6 pts
4. J. Gray (Scotland) – 33.8 pts
5. J. Ryan (Ireland) – 52.7 pts
6. J. Tipuric (Wales) – 70.6 pts
7. C. Stander (Ireland) – 75.1 pts
8. C. Ollivon (France) – 85.6 pts
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Source: 6 Nations