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Fantasy Rugby 2018: How to win your mini league in ESPN's improved & free Six Nations game

Now that you've set up a mini-league for ESPN Fantasy Rugby 2018, the pressure is on to deliver. There's no hiding from your mates when they can see your every move.

- If you are still yet to sign up, click here to create your team. -

To win your mini-league you need to pay constant attention to what is going on with the other fantasy squads in the mini-league, and of course what is happening in the Six Nations.

Once you think you've got a strong squad to start - see our previous articles if you're having trouble -- you'll be able to look at what other people in your mini-league are doing when it comes to transfers and selections. It's then up to you whether you want to stick or twist.

Ideally, you don't want to have too similar a squad to other members of your mini-league, otherwise you're just going to get the same score. But it's a fine balance too, don't just go picking some random French guy just because no one else has him.

Take some time to look at recent form on ESPN, both at international and club level, before you go making a bold move.

In season's gone by, it has also proven wise to tinker with your side depending on the schedule. For those of you unfamiliar with the Six Nations, while it is one of the most competitive international rugby competitions there is, Italy have struggled to compete.

They lost all of their games in last year's competition, and when other nations play the Azzurri their players often rack up plenty of fantasy points. CJ Stander, for example, picked up a whopping 37 points in 2017 when he played for Ireland in Rome.

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You might fall behind in the first round but you've still got another four rounds to catch up. Be bold, take risks and you might hold bragging rights for the rest of the year.