Fantasy International Rugby: Round Three Preview

Nemani Nadolo's suspension will affect plenty of fantasy managers in round three of play. Photo / Getty Images

Despite three teams playing twice in Round 2, three southern hemisphere outside backs dominated the round with just one appearance each.

While fantasy managers were focussed on players taking the field twice in round two; Drew Mitchell, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Santiago Cordero topped the scoresheets as they took advantage of soft match-ups.

Yes, four players who took the field twice in the round featured in the top 10 scorers for the round, but the majority didn't - a lesson we can take note of going into round three.

While Tonga will play two games over the course of our third round, mining their squad for points may not be the wisest decision for managers to make as other, more sure-fire, options present themselves.

Sure, Tonga should do well against Namibia and may compete for some time against Argentina, but their squad presents us with few reliable fantasy choices.

If you do feel like taking a gamble, fullback Vunga Lilo and second rower Joseph Tuineau are your most reliable fantasy options.

Elsewhere, there are juicy matchups on the cards for New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland; while France are also a solid pick for points against Canada.

You'll have to closely monitor team announcements over the next 48 hours before you lock in your four transfers for the round - if you want to pass on Tongans in your squad, just wait until that game is over before making your transfers.

I experienced a good example of waiting to use your transfers during round two.

With Ireland's match-up against Romania the final game of the round and their team yet to be announced, I left one transfer free for me to use. Then with the Irish team announced on the Saturday, I swapped out Alesana Tuilagi for Tommy Bowe which gave me a net gain of 32 points in the round.

Similarly, with plenty of key clashes late in the round - as well as selection and injury headaches affecting most cup teams - round three is a prime example of one where you should stagger your transfers as news comes in.

Below you'll find a list of injured or suspended players announced so far for the round as well as my top picks for those involved in favourable match ups.

Listen to Radio Sport every week to hear Dr Stats chat with D'Arcy Waldegrave about the latest fantasy news and advice.

Top Picks:
Dan Carter, New Zealand
Sonny Bill Williams, New Zealand
Ben Smith, New Zealand
Willie le Roux, South Africa
Handre Pollard, South Africa
Simon Zebo, Ireland
Jonathan Sexton, Ireland
Scott Spedding, France
Morgan Parra, France

On the bench:
Nemani Nadolo, Fiji (suspended one week)
Jean de Villiers, South Africa (out of tournament)
Will Skelton, Australia (out of tournament)
Wycliff Palu, Australia (out of tournament)
Billy Vunipola, England (out of tournament)
Scott Williams, Wales (out of tournament)
Hallam Amos, Wales (out of tournament)
Grant Gilchrist, Scotland (out of tournament)
Connor Braid, Canada (out of tournament)
Yoann Huget, France (out of tournament)
Ovidiu Tonita, Romania (out of tournament)
Nikola Matawalu, Fiji (out 1 match)
Iseai Colati, Fiji (out 2 matches)
Liam Williams, Wales (out 1-2 matches)
Rob Kearney, Ireland (under injury cloud)
Courtney Lawes, England (under injury cloud)
Ben Youngs, England (under injury cloud)
Russell Finn, Scotland (under injury cloud)