Time to tape those ears down and join the scrum, as Electronic Arts today announced that it is once again tackling the sport of rugby. Rugby 2005, the follow-up to Rugby 2004, is currently in development at HB Studios and is being produced by EA Canada. It will be released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC this spring.
All major international rugby teams and players will be featured in Rugby 2005. Also included are several real-world competitions, including the Super 12 and Tri-Nations tournaments. This year's version additionally features graphics upgrades, including new motion-captured animation, authentically detailed stadiums, and enhanced lighting effects. Gamers will be able to control players with on-the-fly playcalling, an improved kicking system, and fakes and tackles by using the right analog stick.
GameSpot will have more details on Rugby 2005 as they surface.