Electronic Arts announced today that EA Sports Rugby 2005 is available in stores worldwide. The game was published in Vancouver, B.C., by EA Canada, the studio that is also home to such top-selling titles as FIFA Soccer and NBA LIVE.

EA Sports Rugby 2005 brings new player models with star heads for the top players worldwide. The game also features real-to-life animations of player movements, their intense emotions, and tackles that make you cringe.

Training modes have been enhanced to teach rugby skills with challenge-based training drills using advanced controls to become the best. The all-new create a player feature enables you to create players based on your own likeness or classic players of the game. Listen to the songs and chants from the major stadiums from around the world and feel the spirit and excitement of rugby.

EA Sports Rugby is developed by HB studies in Novia Scotia, Canada. It is available on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. EA Sports Rugby is rated E for everyone by the MSRP and is priced at $39.99.