First look: Rugby 2004

EA Sports has today released the first information on Rugby 2004 for the PC and PlayStation 2. The game, which is currently in development at HB Studios, will allow players to assume control of both international and domestic teams and to participate in numerous competitions including domestic leagues, the Tri-nations, the Super 12 series, and the World Cup.

No fewer than 20 international teams will be featured in Rugby 2004, along with a currently unspecified number of domestic sides that will bring the total number of players in the game to more than 1,500. Around 65 stadiums from all over the world will also be featured in the game, and rugby fans can look forward to playing at faithful re-creations of Twickenham in England, Murrayfield in Scotland, and Ellis Park in South Africa to name but a few.

According to today's press release, Rugby 2004 will feature much-improved commentary courtesy of John Inverdale and Gordon Bray, and new sound effects and an original soundtrack have also been recorded for the game. The game will also incorporate an all-new control system which, according to EA, will be intuitive, user-friendly, and in line with the company's bigger-budget titles such as the Madden and FIFA series'.

Rugby 2004 is currently scheduled for release in September. We'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.