Six Nations Fantasy Rugby news: What is it and how does it work?
Excitement is building ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, set to kick off when France play host to Wales next week.
Just as importantly, the Six Nations Fantasy Game is also back, bigger and better than ever.
Sports News Blitz rugby writer Luke Ebden is here with all the details you need to know in order to get involved.
What is Six Nations Fantasy Rugby?
Six Nations Fantasy Rugby is a free-to-play online game where players accumulate points based on the results of the real-life Six Nations.
Similar to other fantasy games, points are scored through attacking actions such as tries or defensive actions like tackles.
Points can also be lost due to indiscipline.
The game offers a chance to test your rugby acumen alongside friends, family, co-workers, and the wider rugby community.
It is available to play via both the Six Nations app and the Six Nations Fantasy Rugby website.
If you are interested in participating, the deadline to enter a team is kick-off of the first Six Nations game, currently set for January 31 at 8:15pm (UK time).
READ MORE: Six Nations 2025: Score predictions and analysis for the opening three games
Structuring your team
Your fantasy team consists of 15 players, with there an option for a supersub.
The team must replicate a real-life team by including the following: two props, one hooker, two locks, three loose forwards, one scrum-half, one fly-half, two centres, and a trio of back-three players. Your supersub can be from any position.
To build your team, you have a ‘budget’ of 230 stars. Each player is assigned a star value based on their historical form in the game.
Player prices will go up and down during the tournament based on their ongoing performances.
In addition, you are only allowed a maximum of four players from each nation.
It is necessary to be strategic when choosing players, keeping in mind that some nations have more favourable fixtures than others while there will always be a few high-scorers in the so-called weaker nations.
Every week, you may select a captain. Your captain scores double points and can therefore have a major impact on your weekly score.
If you select an optional supersub and that player comes off the bench in real-life, then you will earn triple points.
So, while you can ignore the supersub to instead focus all 230 stars on the starting line-up, it is recommended that you budget for one on account of the points potential.
Unlike in other fantasy games where you have a set number of transfers each week, Six Nations Fantasy Rugby allows you unlimited weekly movement.
This keeps the game constantly engaging and fresh, even if you get off to a bad start.
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Points system
There are a variety of ways to both earn and lose points in the game.
In attack: try by a back – 10 points; try by a forward – 15 points; try assist – 4 points; try conversion – 2 points; penalty kick – 3 points; drop goal – 5 points; defenders beaten – 2 points; carried meters – 1 point per 10m; 50:22 – 7 points; offload to hand – 2 points; attacking scrum won – 1 point.
The extra five points awarded for a try scored by a forward means that regularly scoring forwards, such as last year’s joint-top try scorer Dan Sheehan (18 stars), are valuable picks.
Another thing to note is that there is no designated kicker. This makes players such as Thomas Ramos (19 stars) extremely valuable because they offer additional guaranteed kicking points on top of their other points.
In defence: tackle – 1 point; breakdown steal – 5 points; lineout steal – 7 points; penalty conceded – 1 point lost.
Generally speaking, the losing team makes more tackles as the winning side has greater possession.
This is backed up by data, with last year's top tacklers being Michele Lamaro and Dafydd Jenkins (15 stars each), both of whom came from the bottom two sides in the 2024 Six Nations.
Targeting key defensive players from the underdogs is thus often a reliable route to points.
Other actions: official Player of the Match – 15 points, yellow card – 5 points lost; red card – 8 points lost.
As mentioned previously, indiscipline is costly. It would be wise to avoid players with a history of receiving cards, such as Uini Atonio and Peter O’Mahony (11 stars each).
In contrast, being awarded Player of the Match is a huge bonus that can majorly influence your final score.
As a result, regular talismans and high-profile players – Antoine Dupont (20 stars), Duhan van der Merwe (19 stars), James Lowe (18 stars) – often make for good choices.
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Prizes
At the end of the Six Nations, the overall winner of the fantasy game wins two tickets to a match of their choice in the 2026 competition, with flights, accommodation and a city pass included.
For those placing in the top five, a rugby ball signed by all coaches and captains awaits.
Additionally, the player with the most points each round wins a £100 Fanatics gift card.
However, for the large majority of Six Nations Fantasy Rugby players, the real prize is bragging rights over friends, family, and co-workers.
Exclusive content for Sports News Blitz readers
In the run-up to the January 31 deadline, Sports News Blitz will be bringing you regular content in order to help you get your team into shape ahead of the first round.
Stay tuned for articles on non-negotiable players, the best picks for each budget, and ideal captains.
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