Rugby Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-08

Welcome back, DFS fanatics! What a week of rugby we just witnessed, with the Los Angeles Sparks putting up an astronomical 89 points against the Portland Fire. That's the kind of high-octane action we love for fantasy, and it gives us plenty to dissect for this week's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Let's dive into the picks that will put you in the green.

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Liam O'Connell (Fly-half, Los Angeles Sparks): Coming off that incredible 89-point performance, O'Connell is an absolute must-start. He orchestrated the Sparks' offensive clinic, converting nearly everything, slotting penalties, and even crossing for a try himself. His involvement in every scoring play gives him an incredibly high floor, and with their momentum, he's poised for another monster outing. Don't overthink this one. 2. Kaito Tanaka (Wing, Los Angeles Sparks): The Sparks' speed demon on the wing was electric last week, bagging a hat-trick of tries against the Fire. When a team is clicking offensively like LA, their wingers are direct beneficiaries. Tanaka’s raw pace and finishing ability make him a prime candidate for multiple tries again, and his meters gained will pile up crucial fantasy points. Ride the hot hand. 3. Max Gruber (Flanker, TVB 1898 Stuttgart): While Stuttgart’s 22-17 win over HC Erlangen was tighter, Gruber was the engine room. He led the match in tackles (18) and carried the ball relentlessly, setting the platform for Stuttgart’s victory. Gruber offers a fantastic blend of defensive and attacking points, making him a high-floor, high-ceiling option even in what might be another physical contest.

1. Finn McGregor (Scrum-half, Portland Fire): Yes, the Fire scored 72 points, but much of that was in a losing effort chasing the game. McGregor, while involved, had lower efficiency in attacking plays compared to his high salary. This week, facing a much more disciplined defense, his attacking opportunities will be significantly limited. Don't pay top dollar for a player who might struggle to replicate last week's volume in a different game script. 2. Kai Schmidt (Fullback, HC Erlangen): Schmidt had a tough outing in Erlangen's loss to Stuttgart, making some good defensive reads but with very limited attacking impact (only 3 carries, 25 meters). Their upcoming opponent boasts a suffocating defense, meaning Schmidt will likely be under pressure defensively and have even fewer chances to break lines or counter-attack. His fantasy upside is simply too low for his usual price tag.

1. Ben Carter (Hooker, Los Angeles Sparks): Often overlooked, Carter is a fantastic value play. In a high-scoring team, the hooker gets consistent lineout throws, carries hard in close quarters, and is always a threat for a pick-and-go try near the line

Read all Fantasy Picks coverage on SportsPulse →