 is a prominent line-out target as well as a relentless carrier and jackaller, for instance – but observers will have additional incentive to familiarise themselves with emerging nations and monitor those players. Georgia's props are are bound to be recruited en masse. There is value to be found in the Lelos backline, though. Merab Sharikadze, their centre and skipper, racks up dizzying tackle-counts. Davit Niniashvili, a wiry and evasive runner who beat five defenders and offloaded three times against Scotland last month, is also good for the odd breakdown turnover. Both men will set you back seven credits and are likely to be on the pitch for most of the group stage as Georgia bid to escape pool C. Sharikadze made 23 tackles at Murrayfield. He could be a shrewd 'defensive king' – a booster that doubles points for tackles, turnovers and interceptions –){kind=link}
Launched by World Rugby, the game can elevate the World Cup and you can pit your wits against the Telegraph Rugby writers
Burger Odendaal is a flinty South African centre and before I knew what he looked like, I knew he was difficult to tackle. Such is the power of fantasy rugby, which could enhance your World Cup experience.
Odendaal was a thrifty midfield option in the Super Rugby Super Coach game, which I played avidly a decade ago. Then with the Bulls, he would return a steady stream of points thanks to his ability to shrug off defenders. I rarely watched the South African franchises, with early-morning broadcasts of games in Australia and New Zealand easier to catch because of the time difference, yet became aware of Odendaal’s hauls. Initially, my only reference point was his avatar on the Super Coach interface; a little light blue shirt. I would remain ignorant of his facial features and stature for some time.
Now 30 years old, Odendaal has joined Northampton Saints for the 2023-24 season and is sure to attract a new band of suitors among Premiership watchers. More on that later. In the shorter term, the upcoming World Cup can show the potential of fantasy games to push rugby union fandom towards a new frontier.
Launched last Wednesday by World Rugby, the tournament’s official game gives you a budget of 100 credits to assemble a team of 15 comprising two props, a hooker, two locks, three back-rowers, a scrum-half, a fly-half, two centres and three outside backs. Players have been assigned varying prices, with Finn Russell, Johnny Sexton, Richie Mo’unga and Matthieu Jalibert the most expensive at 13 credits each. A designated captain counts for double in any given round and there are three ‘boosters’, including ‘super kicker’ and ‘defensive king’. Transfers are unlimited, presumably to mitigate scheduling and injuries.