Releasing well ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Rugby 08 is guaranteed attention at least as the long, wet British summer comes to a close. When this game pops in the drive, it might as well rain until September. Well, September 2007. So much for the pre-amble; what exactly are you in for in Rugby 08? Well, EA never skimps on game modes and is a stickler for detail, so you can 'select select select' for all you're worth. Or you can just hit the 'Play Now' option and get a bit of practice in before you head into the real ruck that is the heart of the game. A basic knowledge of the rules of the sport is always helpful: we can't imagine trying to get the hang of this game without understanding the fundamentals, but thankfully EA has made things as straightforward as possible without sacrificing the toughness and variety of the real game. The aim of the game is to get the ball behind the opposition's goal line and then try to take advantage of the subsequent goal kick for extra points, but first you have to run, barge and wind your way through the toughest defences. There are also other important aspects of the game such as outfoxing the opposition at line-outs, overpowering them in the scrums, and battling for control of the ball in the rucks. All of the aforementioned will give you some kind of advantage if you manage to come out on top - the rest is up to you. When you're ready for the big stage, the quest for silverware not only includes the officially-licensed World Cup 2007, but also the Tri-Nations, Six Nations and the English Premiership.