Why Everyone’s Missing the Same Rugby Picks

Fantasy rugby players make the same mistake every season. They chase international stars, stack their lineups with household names, and ignore athletes who are quietly putting up consistent performances week after week.

The problem? Everyone else is doing exactly the same thing. Your lineup looks like every other lineup. When those big names have quiet games, you’ve got nothing to show for it.

On Peaxel, finding undervalued athletes isn’t just smart—it’s how you win. The platform tracks rugby athletes across men’s and women’s competitions, from Top 14 to Pro D2 to international tournaments. That depth creates opportunities if you know where to look.

How Peaxel Rugby Scoring Creates Value Gaps

Here’s what most players don’t understand about fantasy rugby on Peaxel. Scoring isn’t based purely on tries or assists. Athlete performance gets measured across multiple factors tied to real competition results, international appearances, and career momentum.

That means a prop who starts every game for a championship-winning club can outperform a flashy back who only plays internationals. Consistency matters. Selection matters. And athletes competing in less-followed leagues often deliver better value because fewer players are tracking them.

This is where undervalued picks live. Not in obscurity—in plain sight, just overlooked.

Pick One: Assia Khalfaoui

Let’s be direct. Assia Khalfaoui is one of the most undervalued rugby athletes on Peaxel right now.

She’s a loosehead prop for ASM Clermont Auvergne in France’s Elite 1—the top tier of women’s club rugby. Before that, she helped Stade Bordelais win three consecutive French championships. That’s not a typo. Three in a row.

On the international stage, she made her France debut in 2022 and was selected for both the 2022 and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup squads. France is a serious contender at that tournament. Khalfaoui starts.

So why is she undervalued? Women’s rugby still gets less fantasy attention than it deserves. Players default to the men’s game, missing athletes who are racking up caps, starts, and titles in elite competitions. Khalfaoui’s card on Peaxel is exactly the kind of pick that separates good lineups from winning ones.

What Makes Props Valuable in Fantasy

Props don’t score tries often. That’s not their job. But they do start consistently, play high minutes, and contribute to team success in ways that Peaxel’s scoring system captures.

Khalfaoui’s scrummaging and carrying ability keep her on the pitch. Her club career shows she performs in pressure moments—championship finals, World Cup matches. That reliability translates directly to fantasy points over a season.

Pick Two: Matthys Gratien

Honestly, Matthys Gratien is the pick nobody is talking about.

He’s a winger in Pro D2, France’s second division. That sounds like a negative, but it’s actually his biggest fantasy advantage. Pro D2 is a 30-game season with consistent weekly fixtures. Gratien started 17 of 18 matches in his first season at Soyaux Angoulême XV. He scored two tries on his debut.

Compare that to an international-only player who might feature in 10 matches per year. Gratien gives you 30 opportunities to earn points. Volume matters in fantasy sports.

His path to Pro D2 wasn’t smooth either. A facial fracture kept him out for three months during his time at RC Vannes. He came back stronger, earned a move to Angoulême, and immediately became a starter. That kind of resilience tends to produce consistent performances.

Why Pro D2 Players Get Overlooked

Simple. It’s not the glamour league. Fantasy players gravitate toward Top 14, the Premiership, the Six Nations. They assume second-tier players can’t compete on points.

But Peaxel tracks performance across leagues. A winger who starts every week and scores regularly in Pro D2 can absolutely outscore a Top 14 back who rotates in and out of the squad. Gratien’s athlete card is priced for Pro D2. His output says otherwise.

Building Your Lineup Around Undervalued Picks

You don’t need a full roster of hidden gems. That’s not the strategy. Instead, use undervalued athletes to create balance.

Stack one or two reliable performers you trust—athletes with international pedigree or proven scoring records. Then fill the remaining spots with undervalued picks who offer consistent starts and competition depth.

This approach does two things. It protects you against quiet weeks from your headline picks. And it gives you upside when those overlooked athletes outperform expectations.

Check the full list of sports on Peaxel to see how deep the rugby coverage goes. Women’s and men’s competitions. Club and international. Multiple leagues.

Where to Start

If you’re new to Peaxel, start with one undervalued pick you believe in. Add them to your lineup and track their performance over a few weeks. You’ll quickly see how athletes outside the spotlight can deliver.

Khalfaoui and Gratien aren’t flukes. They’re examples of what’s possible when you stop chasing the same names as everyone else. The depth is there. The value is there. You just have to look.