With the 2018 Six Nations nearing its Feb. 3 start date, we take a look at the players who could make your ESPN Fantasy Rugby team as England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales battle it out for the top prize.
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ESPN Fantasy Rugby 2018 is all about picking the best players who are going to get you the most possible points throughout the tournament. With that in mind, ESPN has selected three of the best players from each country who you should consider for your team.
Owen Farrell (Midfield): The classy Saracens fly-half was hard done by not to win World Rugby player of the year in 2017 after an impressive season for club, country and the British & Irish Lions. A consistent performer under Eddie Jones, Farrell hardly has a weakness in his game. He attacks the line and makes space for his teammates, holds his own defensively and is a brilliant goal-kicker.
Maro Itoje (Second-row): Up there as one of the most athletic players in the world, Itoje, 23, is poised to continue his upward rise in what will be his third Six Nations campaign. The Saracens lock comes into this tournament off the back of a month layoff due to a fractured jaw, so he should have fresh legs ahead of the opener against Italy after a long 2017 season.
Mako Vunipola (Front row): Much like his brother Billy, Mako Vunipola imposes his physicality on the opposition with great ferocity and vigour. The Saracens prop can be a human wrecking ball at times both on attack and defence while his work at the scrum allows England a strong base to attack from.
Kevin Gourdon (Back row): One of the unknown stars of the fantasy game last year, the versatile flanker has an all-court game to star again in 2018. Gourdon has been in strong form for La Rochelle in Europe this season with his dynamic ball carrying and heavy workload in defence among the highlights of his game.
Antoine Dupont (Scrum-half): He may have only started two Tests for Les Bleus but the young Toulouse No. 9 looks to have all the attributes to be a star at international level. Dupont's performance against the All Blacks in November was one of the shining lights for France as the world champions struggled to contain his slippery footwork and sniping runs. If he can deliver performances like that consistently he'll be a real threat.
Guilhem Guirado (Front row): The France captain has been a picture of strength when all is going wrong around him in the national side of late. The hooker hardly puts in a bad performance with his work at the set piece and in defence helping keep the French in games. He's recently spoken of his embarrassment of recent results, most notably their last outing against Japan, so expect him to lead from the front this Six Nations.
Conor Murray (Scrum-half): Arguably the best No. 9 in the game, Murray has the ability to dictate a game with his pass, his boot and with ball in hand. He always looks one step ahead of the play and can be a nightmare for the opposition, with his combination with Johnny Sexton among the top 9-10 partnerships in the world.
CJ Stander (Back row): One of the stand out performers in the fantasy game in 2017, CJ Stander looks to be building some form at the right time for Munster as Ireland look to mount a challenge for the Six Nations title. His ball-carrying from No. 8 can be a big weapon -- just ask Italy after his three tries against them last year -- while his crunching tackles would be an asset to any side.
Johnny Sexton (Fly-half): He may have been under an injury cloud for most of his career but when Sexton is fit there's not many better fly-halves on the international scene. His ability to take the ball to the line and become a target for the opposition defence makes room for his teammates to attack, while his composure in high pressure situations has helped Ireland win matches they may have otherwise lost.
Sergio Parisse (Back row): When you think Italian rugby, you think Sergio Parisse. The veteran back row of 129 Test appearances -- 126 starts -- is gearing up for his 15th Six Nations campaign and is showing few signs of slowing down. A strong line-out operator and ball carrier, Parisse will empty the tank every week and lead Italy from the front as they try and bridge the gap between themselves and the rest of the competition.
Carlo Canna (Fly-half): The Zebre playmaker has had a strong season, with his sound boot seeing him near the top of the points-scoring charts in the PRO14. In years gone by Canna has been shaky off the tee at international level, but will be hoping to mirror the confident performances at club level with the Azzurri.
Mattia Bellini (Back three): Another player from Zebre, Bellini comes into the Six Nations off the back of some consistent form. He's been an attacking weapon in the PRO14, contributing 17 clean breaks so far this season. Bellini's yet to score a Test try since making his debut in 2016, but will get every chance to cross the whitewash this Six Nations, particularly with renowned try-scorer Angelo Esposito out injured.
Stuart Hogg (Back three): He may have missed the last two months of rugby due to injury, but Hogg's imperious display during Glasgow's recent win over Exeter would have seen Scotland coach Gregor Townsend smiling from ear to ear. Hogg is Scotland's best player by some distance, and their chances of delivering this Six Nations revolve, in part, around the fitness and form of the Glasgow full-back.
Jonny Gray (Second row): Alongside Joe Launchbury, Gray was one of the stand-out forwards across the 2017 Six Nations, with both unlucky not to go onto higher honours with the British & Irish Lions. Consistently gets through a mountain of work, lumping his big frame around the park to deliver plenty of big hits and carries.
Finn Russell (Fly-half): Despite some indifferent form at club level after signing up for French glamour club Racing 92 next season, there's no questioning Russell's ability and importance to this Scotland side. He was one of the star performers for Scotland in Vern Cotter's last tenure as coach, and Gregor Townsend will want more of the same tactical direction and flawless kicking when Scotland open their campaign against Wales.
Alun Wyn Jones (Second row): The definition of a work horse. Jones, who has taken over the captaincy in the last couple of years from Sam Warburton, has one of the biggest engines in the game and will constantly throw his body around in both attack and defence. Will continue to do much of the unseen work and lead from the front.
Steff Evans (outside back): Injuries in the Wales backline mean that the Scarlets wing should start most, if not all, of Wales' games over the next six weeks -- his own fitness permitting. Evans has impressed thus far in his fledgling Test career, scoring three tries in five Wales appearances and if he can carry his domestic form into the championship then a few more surely await.