Rugby Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-26

Welcome back to the SportsPulse.com DFS Playbook, your ultimate guide to Super Rugby fantasy success on DraftKings and FanDuel! What a wild week we just witnessed with the Seattle Storm and New York Liberty combining for a staggering 187 points. That kind of open play means fantasy gold, and we're here to help you pinpoint where the next big scores will come from. Let's dive into the Week 4 picks!

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Ethan Cole (Fly-half, Seattle Storm): After orchestrating a ridiculous 99-point offensive explosion last week, Cole is a must-start. He contributed 17 points directly through conversions and penalties, but his real value came from his assist work, setting up three tries and consistently putting teammates into space. His form is undeniable, and against a leaky defense this week, another massive haul is on the cards. 2. Liam O'Connell (Flanker, Boston Breakers): O'Connell is a DFS workhorse, consistently delivering high tackle counts and breakdown steals. Last week, he posted 18 tackles, 3 breakdown turnovers, and even crashed over for a try, showcasing his all-around fantasy potential. He's the engine of the Breakers' pack and guarantees a high floor with significant upside. 3. Marcus Thorne (Fullback, New York Liberty): Despite the loss, Thorne was a beacon of brilliance for the Liberty, scoring 3 tries and racking up over 150 meters gained against the Storm. His electrifying pace and ability to find gaps make him a constant threat. With the Liberty looking to bounce back, expect Thorne to be heavily involved in their attacking plays.

Top 2 Players to SIT/BENCH This Week

1. Sam Johnson (Lock, Philadelphia Fury): Johnson carries a high salary and name recognition, but his recent form has been underwhelming. He's averaging less than 8 tackles per game in the last two weeks, with no lineout steals and minimal attacking involvement. Facing a dominant scrum this week, his opportunities for fantasy points will likely be even more limited. 2. Chris Davies (Scrum-half, Toronto Titans): Davies is still shaking off the rust after a minor hamstring injury, playing only 50 minutes last week. He's facing a tough matchup against a tenacious Boston Breakers back-row that excels at suffocating the breakdown and rushing the nine. His reduced minutes and difficult opposition make him a risky play at his current salary.

Two Value/Bargain Plays Under Salary Cap

1. Ben Carter (Hooker, Chicago Hounds): At a bargain price, Carter has quietly been putting up consistent numbers. He's averaging 12 tackles per game and boasts a 90% lineout success rate. Two weeks ago, he even scored a try from a driving maul. He offers a solid floor for a minimal investment, freeing up cap space elsewhere. 2. Alex Reed (Wing, Dallas Desperados): Reed is stepping into the starting lineup due to an injury to the Desperados' regular winger. Known for his speed and elusive running, he's a potential breakout candidate against a defense that struggles with pace out wide. His low salary makes him an excellent punt for try-scoring potential.

David Miller (Fly-half, Miami Sharks): The Miami Sharks are heavy underdogs this week, which will keep Miller's ownership low. However, Miller is their primary kicker for both conversions and penalties, and he's been incredibly accurate this season. Even if Miami struggles to score tries, Miller can accumulate significant points through his boot, especially if the game remains tighter than expected or if the opposition concedes numerous penalties. He's a fantastic differentiator in GPPs.

Good luck with your lineups this week, fantasy managers! May your players score many tries and tackles!

Read all Fantasy Picks coverage on SportsPulse →