I don't know what's sadder. The fact that EA was making better games than they do now +15 years ago or the fact that this last attempt by EA to make a rugby game is the best one we've had ever since.
Tons of contents, great controls, a great soundtrack...This game nearly has everything a rugby fan could ask for aside of EA not having the rights from some Tier 2/Tier 3 national teams, the H Cup and some club teams like the French League (Top 14).
My only complaints would be some bugs here & there and the script being pretty ruthless sometimes especially on harder difficulties.
Regardless, it's a great sport game like EA don't make anymore.
Also even today, this legendary intro is still hype as f*ck !

This game is easily the best Rugby game there is to date. With the publishing of EA Sports this game got the financial backing it needed. This game is super fun with hard hits from tackles and tactical kicking you will find joy quickly.

Cool sound track and sound design in general as the crowd gets so loud you can bearly hear the commentary, which makes for a realistic game. All round great game play and licensed teams/stadiums, what more can you ask. Rugby is a difficult sport to capture in a video game but EA and their team got it right hear. If only we can see EA publish another Rugby game in the Future. 10/10 for me. Played on PlayStation 2 and PC.

EA Sports' last attempt at making a rugby game was actually their best. EA Sports' Rugby franchise was generally stop-start. You're probably familiar with the year-on-year releases EA Sports have done the last several decades - FIFA, Madden, NHL. Meanwhile, EA Sports' first rugby game came out in 1995 and the second wouldn't be until 2000. The next after that would be in 2003. Overall, EA Sports made six rugby games, and to re-word an old saying; sixth time's the charm.

The previous iterations felt generally stiff, with the second attempt, simply called 'Rugby', particularly bad. Rugby 08 feels somewhat smooth though, doesn't feel unbalanced and the gameplay is relatively easy to get the hang of.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a great video game by general standards, or even an overly great video game by the standards of the sport genre, but as far as rugby video games go, this is in the conversation for the best ever made. The game is insanely cheap these days, the PAL region at least, and for what I paid (50p) this game is great value for money.

I'm not overly convinced that EA Sports would even make a very good Rugby game if they revived the franchise, but this game will more than do for now.