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Fantasy League: Rivals Round Head-to-Heads

4 hrs

Now that Super League's 30th Birthday Week is behind us, all focus swiftly turns to Rivals Round, but what does this mean for your Fantasy League team this weekend?

Remember, because it’s the start of a new month, Fantasy players get their four transfers renewed!

Expect big hits, confrontation and ferocity on the pitch as Rivals Round takes centre stage over the Easter period. Remember, Rivals Round not only Hits Different – But Harder.

Let’s see how players stack up against their opposite number from their fiercest rivals…

Head-to-Heads:

Harvie Hill (£100k) vs Jai Whitbread (£130k)

The Hull Derby is one of the most heated derbies in the Betfred Super League, and has certainly offered its fair share of drama down the years.

Will their clash on Friday live up to the heights of the past?

It’s fair to say the Robins haven’t been firing on all cylinders in 2026 just yet. However, Whitbread can hold his head high with his contributions.

The Robins prop has scored three tries and made 13 tackle busts and 98 tackles in the opening rounds of the season. This high work rate has seen him accrue one 185 Fantasy points.

How does the young Black & Whites prop Harvie Hill compare? Hill has been a shining star Hull FC in the first few rounds, racking up nearly 300 points in Fantasy already - and is priced £30k cheaper than Whitbread.

His score contributions will no doubt be down to the 20 tackle busts, 167 tackles and five offloads he has produced.

Who will put in your squad for Good Friday?

Shane Wright (£100k) v Junior Nsemba (£150k)

One of the most famous and oldest rivalries in rugby league, expect the most intense clash as these two face off on Good Friday afternoon.

Nsemba year has recaptured the form that won him the Young Player of the Year Award back in 2024 – and has 360 Fantasy points to his name as a result - living up to his £150k price tag.

The Warriors powerhouse has ran 460 metres and made 28 tackles bust and 13 offloads. Is that enough to convince you to include Nsemba in your Fantasy side?

Wright too was wonderful in Round 6 – doing enough to feature in the Fantasy Team of the Week! The 30-year-old has made huge contributions to the Saints this season, accumulating 321 points in the Fantasy game.

Will you be putting Nsemba or Wright in your team for Rivals Round?

Jayden Nikorima (£120k) v Brodie Croft (£150k)

Croft returned to the Rhinos side on Sunday and picked up right where he left off before he was side-lined with a hamstring tweak.

The heroic half-back has scored six tries and made 380 metres, as well as six clean line breaks in 2026.

That’s 313 Fantasy points so far this season, and his stats are equally as impressive considering he hasn’t played in every game. Croft is well worth the £150k if he continues to pull the strings in 2026.

Similar to Croft, Nikorima made a monumental impact when he debuted for the Bulls a couple of weeks ago. So much, that he’s accumulated 119 Fantasy points in just two appearances!

His stats make good reading for any Fantasy player looking to change their half-back.

Which playmaker are you picking for your team?

Tristan Powell (£100k) v Paul Vaughan (£130k)

Things haven’t quite gone to plan for the Giants on the pitch in 2026. Powell, however, has performed well and that’s reflected with 257 Fantasy points so far this season. Powell has made a mammoth 207 tackles which will have no doubt contributed to that applaudable score.

Powerhouse Paul Vaughan has had his fair share of Super League action over the years, bringing that experience to the Knights for their debut season in top flight! So far, Vaughan is the highest scoring prop in the Fantasy Super League in 2026 with 330 points and is priced at £10k less than last season.

How do you think these two props will perform in Fantasy after their Rivals Round fixture?

Josh Charnley (£110k) v Josh Thewlis (£120k)

Thewlis, just like the Wolves in 2026, has been brilliant – capped off by a sensational score against the Rhinos on Sunday.

The Wolves winger has scored four, assisted four and ran 470 metres in six rounds, taking his Fantasy points total up to 280 points.

With the injury to starting full-back Cai Taylor-Wray, Thewlis has stepped into the void and never missed a beat! The question is, which position will he play in Rivals Round?

The Leopards have had a disappointing start to the season, but that hasn’t stopped Josh Charnley from doing what Charnley does best! He's scored 182 Fantasy points so far, which is a healthy average for a £110k price tag.

Charlie Staines (£140k) v Olly Ashall-Bott (£120k)

The ‘Forbes Ferrari’ has lit up the south of France since joining the Dragons from West Tigers, and scored a brilliant solo try away at Hull FC this weekend just gone!

The Dragons full-back is currently Super League’s top metre maker with 1238 – an jaw-dropping 200+ metre average per game!

Speedster Staines has pace to burn, but so does his opposite number Olly Ashall-Bott.

The Toulouse full-back starred in Rounds 1 and 2 and won back-to-back Player of the Match because of this.

His side may still be searching for their first victory since February, but Ashall-Bott has continued to light up Super League with his exceptional effort levels.

Both number 1s have 300+ Fantasy points to their name and it’s set to be electrifying when they go head-to-head.

With full-backs in short supply this season, who will you put in your side for Rivals Round? Staines is slightly more expensive than Ashall-Bott, with both expected to keep providing a strong weekly return in Fantasy.

Krystian Mapapalangi (£100k) v Oli Pratt (£120k)

One of many Castleford signings in the off-season, Mapapalangi has won plaudits since arriving from Down Under, proving to be pivotal in his side's win over the Bulls last Thursday, and earning Player of the Match in the process.

The centre has completed four try assists and 21 tackle busts; without a doubt adding some much-needed quality on the edge for the Tigers.

Meanwhile, Pratt was given the number two jersey by his head coach Daryl Powell in the off-season, and he’s definitely lived up to the expectations of having a starting number on his back!

A versatile Pratt can play in both the centre and winger positions, and has experienced a thoroughly enjoyable March.

It's a month to remember for in-form Pratt who has contributed massively to Trinity's unbeaten month. He is currently Trinity’s top scorer too.

Looking to change your centres in April? Which one from these two neighbours are you thinking about picking?