EA to launch Rugby 2005 this spring

If you spend more of your weekend parked in front of Grandstand than Match of the Day, you might be interested to learn that EA Sports is prepping the latest instalment in its Rugby series for release on PS2, Xbox and PC this spring.

Rugby 2005, developed by HB Studios and produced by EA Canada, features "a host of gameplay and graphical updates", and features all the major rugby teams, players and tournaments including the Tri-Nations and Super 12, according to EA.

The graphics engine has been updated, with motion-captured player animations, and accurate stadiums complete with crowd reactions, songs and chants, and in control terms console gamers will be able to use the right analogue stick to control kicks, fakes and "crushing hits".

With the game's release just around the corner, you shouldn't have to wait too long to find out whether it tops last year's rather maligned effort, and you can already see a clutch of screenshots here.