Questions and answers
Your Fantasy Rugby Questions Answered: The Ultimate FAQ
Understanding fantasy rugby is essential to your success as a manager. We’ve gathered the most important questions from our global community and provided expert answers to help you master the game. From scoring systems to transfer strategies, player selection to league formats, we cover everything you need to know. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our dedicated support team is always ready to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if my selected player gets injured?
A: When a player in your squad suffers an injury, you have several options. If the injury is minor or short-term, you might keep them on your bench until recovery. For serious injuries, you can transfer the player out for an available replacement. Our platform provides detailed injury updates with estimated return dates to help inform your decision. We tag injured players with clear indicators showing their status (doubtful, out, or long-term), making it easy to identify problems in your squad. If a player is unexpectedly ruled out close to a match deadline, some competition formats include an auto-substitution feature that will replace them with your highest-prioritized bench player in an eligible position.
Q: Can I make changes to my team during the tournament or season?
A: Yes! You can make transfers throughout the season or tournament. For seasonal competitions, you typically receive one free transfer per round, with additional transfers costing points (usually 4 points per extra transfer). For tournament formats like the Rugby World Cup or Six Nations, you’ll have a specific number of total transfers to use strategically across the entire competition. Some special rounds may offer unlimited transfers or wildcards that allow complete team restructuring. The transfer system encourages strategic planning while allowing flexibility to respond to injuries, form changes, or favorable upcoming fixtures.
Q: How does positional eligibility work for multi-position rugby players?
A: Some rugby players are versatile enough to play multiple positions, and our fantasy platform reflects this through dual-position eligibility. Players listed with multiple positions (such as ‘Centre/Wing’ or ‘Flanker/Number 8’) can be selected in either position within your squad. This flexibility provides strategic advantages for squad construction and substitution. When a dual-position player starts a match in a different position than you’ve selected them, they’ll still earn points based on their actual performance regardless of where they’re positioned in your fantasy team. Throughout the season, we may update positional eligibility based on consistent team selection patterns, always announcing these changes in advance to allow managers to adjust their squads accordingly.
Q: How does the scoring system work in fantasy rugby?
A: Our fantasy rugby scoring system rewards players for a wide range of match actions. Players earn points for tries (5 points), conversions (2 points), penalty kicks (3 points), drop goals (3 points), and defensive contributions like tackles (0.5 points) and turnovers won (4 points). Additional points are awarded for meters carried, line breaks, offloads, and successful scrums or lineouts. Players can lose points for conceding penalties (-1 point), receiving yellow cards (-5 points), or red cards (-10 points). The comprehensive system ensures that both attacking playmakers and hard-working forwards can accumulate points, encouraging managers to build balanced teams.
Q: What tools are available to help me select my captain each week?
A: Choosing your captain is one of the most important weekly decisions, as they earn double points. Our Captain Analyzer tool provides data-driven recommendations based on several factors: historical performance against upcoming opposition, home/away form, recent point-scoring trends, and statistical matchup advantages. The Consistency Rating shows which players offer reliable returns versus those with higher volatility but greater upside. For premium subscribers, our Captain Simulation runs thousands of probability-based scenarios to calculate expected points ranges and ceiling outcomes. The Captain Comparison tool allows head-to-head analysis of captain candidates across key metrics. Additionally, our expert team provides weekly captain pick articles with detailed reasoning for recommended selections across different budget ranges.
Q: How can I use the fixture ticker to plan my transfers?
A: The fixture ticker is an essential strategic planning tool that color-codes upcoming matches based on difficulty, helping you make informed transfer decisions. Green fixtures indicate favorable matchups where players are likely to score well, while red fixtures suggest challenging matches with reduced point potential. You can customize the view to show between 3-10 gameweeks ahead, allowing for both short and long-term planning. The advanced version factors in team-specific strengths and weaknesses—for example, identifying teams that struggle defensively against wings or in set-pieces. Use the fixture ticker to ‘fixture surf’ by transferring in players with consecutive favorable matches and avoiding those facing difficult runs. The ticker’s rotation planner helps identify complementary players or teams whose fixtures alternate favorably for efficient bench rotation.
Q: What are power-ups and how do I use them effectively?
A: Power-ups are special boosters that can significantly enhance your team’s performance for specific rounds. The Captain Boost doubles your captain’s points for a round, while the Squad Surge applies a 1.5x multiplier to your entire team. The Perfect Bench allows all bench players’ points to count alongside your starting XV for one round. The Transfer Window grants unlimited free transfers for a single round. Each power-up can only be used once per season or tournament, so timing is crucial. Save them for key rounds with favorable fixtures or double gameweeks where maximum points potential exists. Our analytics tools provide recommendations on optimal power-up usage based on fixture analysis and historical performance data.
Q: What are the key differences between fantasy rugby and other fantasy sports?
A: Fantasy rugby offers unique strategic elements compared to other fantasy sports. The position-specific roles in rugby create more specialized player evaluation, with distinct scoring actions for forwards versus backs. Rugby’s continuous play means more scoring opportunities across multiple statistical categories compared to more discrete sports. The physical nature of rugby leads to higher injury rates and rotation policies, requiring managers to maintain deeper functional benches. International windows dramatically reshape available player pools during certain periods, more significantly than in most other sports. Additionally, rugby’s varied competitions (leagues, cups, international tournaments) create distinct fantasy formats with different optimal strategies. These elements combine to create a fantasy experience that rewards deep rugby knowledge and adaptive management throughout the season.
Q: What is the best strategy for selecting rugby players?
A: The most successful strategy balances several factors: player form, upcoming fixtures, point-scoring potential, and value for money. For forwards, look at tackle counts, breakdown effectiveness, and set-piece reliability. For backs, prioritize attacking statistics like meters gained, line breaks, and try-scoring opportunities. Always consider the player’s role in their team’s tactical approach—some teams emphasize forward dominance while others focus on back-line attacking flair. Also pay attention to goal-kickers, as they often offer consistent points. Analyze recent performance trends, but also consider the difficulty of upcoming fixtures and potential for rotation in busy periods. Building a balanced squad across all positions provides flexibility to adapt to different match situations.
Q: How do private leagues work in fantasy rugby?
A: Private leagues allow you to create exclusive competitions among friends, family, or colleagues. As a league commissioner, you can customize settings including the number of participants (from 2 to 500+), scoring systems, transfer limitations, and prize structures. You can choose between classic total-points leagues or head-to-head formats where teams compete directly against one another each round. Our platform allows for mini-leagues within your main private league, creating divisions or conference structures for larger groups. Invitations are sent via email or shareable links, and you can set entry requirements like passwords or approval processes to maintain exclusivity. League administrators have access to detailed performance analytics and can broadcast messages to all participants.
Strategic Tips for Rugby Fantasy Success
Our expert analysts have compiled these proven strategies to help you climb the rankings:
• Focus on goal-kickers and playmakers who have multiple ways to accumulate points • Balance your squad between consistent performers and high-ceiling differentials • Consider home/away performance splits when selecting players • Identify players with favorable upcoming fixture runs for medium-term holds • Use different captain selection strategies based on your position in mini-leagues • Track player minutes and workload to identify potential rest candidates • Monitor set-piece specialists, particularly for teams with strong scrums and lineouts • Track the weather forecast for matches, as poor conditions can impact running rugby and kicking success
Advanced Strategy Frameworks
Take your fantasy rugby management to the next level with these advanced approaches:
The Rotation Master
Description: Select complementary players to rotate based on fixture difficulty Best suited for: Maximizing point return from lower-budget selections
The Differentiator
Description: Target high-upside players with low ownership to climb rankings quickly Best suited for: When needing to make up ground in leagues or tournaments
Form Over Fixtures
Description: Prioritize in-form players regardless of opposition difficulty Best suited for: Early season when form patterns are establishing
Set and Forget
Description: Select reliable core players and hold regardless of short-term form fluctuations Best suited for: Limited transfer formats and season-long competitions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced managers can fall into these traps. Stay vigilant and avoid these common errors:
• Not planning transfers around bye weeks and international call-ups • Prioritizing team loyalty over strategic selection of in-form players • Focusing too much on attack-minded players while overlooking defensive specialists • Chasing last week’s points rather than analyzing underlying performance metrics • Selecting players based on reputation rather than current form and fixtures • Selecting injured players or those with doubtful playing status
Fantasy Rugby Glossary
Understanding the terminology is essential for navigating our platform and community discussions:
Bye Week
A gameweek where a specific team does not have a scheduled match
Differential
A player with low ownership percentage who could provide ranking advantage
Rotation Risk
Players likely to be rested or substituted due to fixture congestion or tactical reasons
Set and Forget
Strategy of selecting players for long-term holds regardless of short-term form
Bandwagon
A rapidly increasing trend of managers transferring in a specific player
Template Team
The commonly-selected core players owned by most active managers
Expected Points (xP)
Statistical prediction of a player’s point potential based on historical data and fixtures
Support Resources
We’re committed to helping you succeed in your fantasy rugby journey. Here are the ways to get assistance:
Help Center
Comprehensive guides, tutorials, and FAQs covering all aspects of fantasy rugby Resources: Video tutorials, strategy guides, glossary of terms
Community Forums
Connect with other managers to share advice, discuss strategies, and analyze performances Features: Position-specific advice threads, weekly captain polls, fixture analysis
Email Support
Detailed responses to complex questions about rules, scoring, and technical issues Response Time: Within 24 hours
In-App Support
24/7 chat support with rugby experts for immediate assistance on selection and strategy Response Time: Typically within 5 minutes
Regional Competitions and Special Tournaments
Our fantasy platform covers all major rugby competitions globally. Each has unique rules and strategic considerations:
| Competition | Format | Transfer Limits | Power-Up Rules | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Nations | 5 rounds | 10 total transfers | 2 power-ups allowed | Triple Captain available |
| Rugby Championship | 6 rounds | 12 total transfers | Standard power-ups | Substitute Impact Tracker |
| Premiership Rugby | Weekly | 1 free transfer/week | 4 seasonal power-ups | Price changes twice weekly |
| Super Rugby | Weekly | 2 free transfers/week | 5 seasonal power-ups | Position-specific bonus points |
| Rugby World Cup | Pool + knockout | 20 total transfers | Extra power-ups in knockout | Bracket predictor integration |
| Champions Cup | Pool + knockout | Limited free transfers | Power-up refresh for knockouts | Multi-team selection challenges |
Still Have Questions?
Our support team includes former professional rugby players and fantasy experts who are available 24/7 to help you with any questions not covered above. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an experienced manager fine-tuning your strategy, we’re here to ensure you have the best possible fantasy rugby experience.
Remember: Success in fantasy rugby comes from balancing statistical analysis with rugby knowledge, staying active throughout the season, and learning from both victories and setbacks. Keep refining your strategy, engage with our community resources, and most importantly, enjoy the competition!