Rugby Finally Gets the Fantasy Treatment It Deserves

Most fantasy platforms ignore rugby entirely. They’ll give you endless football leagues and maybe some basketball, but rugby? Good luck. That’s exactly why Peaxel feels different the moment you start exploring it.

Peaxel is a free-to-play fantasy sports game where you collect athlete cards, build lineups, and compete as a manager across dozens of sports—including rugby. No buy-in required. No crypto wallet needed. Just pick your athletes and play.

If you’ve been waiting for a fantasy game that actually covers the sports you care about, this is it. And rugby fans, you’re not an afterthought here. You’re part of the main event.

Why These Two Rugby Picks Matter Right Now

Let’s get specific. Here are two rugby athletes on Peaxel worth your attention this July—and why they deserve a spot in your lineup.

Assia Khalfaoui – The World Cup Prop

Assia Khalfaoui isn’t just another name on a roster. She’s a three-time French Elite 1 champion with Stade Bordelais who moved to ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2025—one of the biggest clubs in French women’s rugby.

Her international credentials are just as strong. Khalfaoui made her France debut in 2022 against Italy and earned selection to both the 2022 and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup squads. That kind of consistency at international level translates directly to fantasy value. When France plays, she’s on the pitch.

At 168cm, she’s compact for a loosehead prop but known for powerful scrummaging and dynamic ball-carrying. She scores fantasy points when it matters—in the tight exchanges and set pieces that decide close matches.

You can add her card to your lineup right now: Assia Khalfaoui on Peaxel.

Matthys Gratien – The Pro D2 Finisher

Matthys Gratien is the kind of player fantasy managers love: a winger who finishes chances. He scored a brace on his debut for SA XV Charente against Béziers in 2023 and went on to start 17 of 18 matches in his first season at the club.

Gratien came through the RC Vannes academy system and made his Pro D2 debut back in 2019. A facial fracture sidelined him for three months at one point, but he fought back and now plays regular first-team rugby in France’s second tier.

Pro D2 is competitive, physical rugby—and wingers who can consistently cross the whitewash are rare. Gratien’s pace and finishing make him a strong fantasy asset when SA XV Charente are in action.

Check out his card here: Matthys Gratien on Peaxel.

How Peaxel Works for Rugby Fans

Here’s the short version: you collect digital athlete cards, build lineups, and earn points based on real-world performance. No betting. No season-long commitments. You can play casually or go deep—your call.

What makes Peaxel stand out is the breadth. It covers Olympic sports, combat sports, extreme sports, cycling, gymnastics, and yes—rugby. Most fantasy platforms don’t touch half of these. Peaxel treats them all seriously.

You can browse the full list of covered sports at Peaxel’s sports directory. Rugby sits alongside swimming, taekwondo, BMX, and dozens more.

The Case for Adding Rugby to Your Fantasy Rotation

Here’s the honest take: most fantasy players overlook rugby because other platforms don’t offer it. That creates an opportunity on Peaxel.

While everyone else is chasing the same football or basketball cards, rugby athletes sit there ready to score points with less competition for attention. Khalfaoui and Gratien are both active in professional leagues with regular fixtures. They’re not sitting on benches or between seasons.

Honestly, rugby picks are the quiet advantage nobody is talking about right now. The scoring is there. The athletes are there. The platform just happens to be one that most fantasy players haven’t discovered yet.

Start Building Your Rugby Lineup

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably the kind of person who actually cares about finding an edge in fantasy sports. Rugby on Peaxel is that edge—real athletes, real competitions, and a game that doesn’t charge you to play.

Head to Peaxel and start exploring. Grab Khalfaoui’s card before the World Cup cycle heats up. Add Gratien for Pro D2 weeks when you need a reliable finisher. Build something different.

This is fantasy sports for people who want more than the same five leagues everyone else plays.