Opta Reveals Form XV for Opening Round of Guinness Men’s Six Nations

As the Guinness Men’s Six Nations kicks off this weekend, Opta, the sports data analytics company, has released their ‘Form XV‘, a selection of the top-performing players heading into the tournament’s opening round.

The Form XV, based on Opta’s statistical analysis, features a mix of seasoned players and promising talents. Among the notable players selected are Romain Buros and Damian Penaud from Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Nicholas Depoortere from the same club, Rory Hutchinson from Northampton Saints, and Tommy Freeman, also from Northampton Saints.

Leading the backline is Matthieu Jalibert, the talented fly-half from Union Bordeaux-Bègles, and Antoine Dupont, the sensational scrum-half from Toulouse.

In the forward pack, Matis Perchaud from Bayonne, Peato Mauvaka from Toulouse, and Zander Fagerson from Glasgow Warriors hold their positions as strong pillars in the scrum. Joining them is the renowned lock Maro Itoje from Saracens, along with Thomas Ceyte from Bayonne.

The back row is bolstered by James Chisholm from Harlequins, Tom Pearson from Northampton Saints, and Caelan Doris from Leinster, showcasing their prowess in the realms of tackling, turnovers, and defensive work.

It’s worth mentioning that these selections take into account the performances of the players since the Rugby World Cup, and some of them have already been named in the national squads for the opening round of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. However, injuries have ruled out a few players, including Ollie Lawrence, who was initially set to feature at outside centre.

The Form XV presents a formidable lineup of players who have consistently excelled in their respective positions. Their impressive statistics, as analyzed by Opta, highlight their impact on the field and make them strong contenders for fantasy rugby selections in the upcoming tournament.