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"There's a world in union," warbled the New Zealand opera singer, as teams from all over the globe came to Britain to crack some heads! Rugby is a bit of a gaming paradox. It originated in public schools, but involves behaviour that would be out-of-place in a bar room brawl; it has an elitist heritage, but now fills larger stadiums than most football teams can manage.

The World Cup is the star date in the Rugby calendar. The top nations of the World, including the 'Home Nations' of the British Isles, get together with countries never to the game, like Japan and Zimbabwe. It's a right royal rumble and no mistake. A month of sweaty headhands, dirty songs and lots of towel-whipping (about the only elements missing from Domark's new sports sim).

A sports sim based on Rugby Union, which originated in 1846. The modern World Cup and Five Nations Cup form the tournament options.

Take the ball to your opponent's end line, and kick the ball between your opponent's goalposts. Take part in fixtures against the sixteen other nations.

The two major tournaments are the World Cup, and the Five Nations. The World Cup is the biggie, with sixteen nations split into four qualifying groups. However, the Five Nations is more interesting, dredging up old grievances between neighbours (such as Scotland, England and Wales). Special victories within the Five Nations include the 'Grandslam', when one team beats all others, and the 'Triple Crown', where one UK team beats the other three.

Here's your bluffer's guide to Rugby. You take the odd-shaped ball and try to place it beyond the goal line of the opposition - a 'try' scoring five points. Any player may run with the ball, but can only pass it backwards. Alternatively, they may kick the ball through the large posts - a 'drop goal' scoring three points. After each try, a team has a chance to score a 'conversion', a further three points, by scoring a goal.

1. Scrum
   The team not in possession is allowed to bring down the ball carrier by physical means - a 'tackle'. If lots of players are involved, with no clear possessor, a scrum is called. The big players, or forwards of each team, bunch together, with the ball held between them. By pressing the A button quickly, possession is gained and the ball passed out to one of the linebacks. If a team in possession doesn't pass back quickly, the referee may award a penalty kick.
2. Lineouts
   When a team knocks the ball out of the field, a lineout is awarded to the other team. A line of players from each team forms itself at the edge of the field, and a thrower off field tries to pass the ball to one of his team-mates. If he succeeds, the ball is then passed to a waiting line-backer, to start a run.

I tried hard to like this game, but after straining my eyes through attempting to distinguish which of the pixie-like teams was mine, and then trying to clarify which one of these vertically-challenged players was in possession of the equally diminutive ball, I could take no more.

To its credit, when things go get going they move along at a fairly cracking pace, but then you've got the mile-long pitch and the laughable tackling to contend with. The two-player mode lifts it a little, if you can find a mate patient enough, but if it's a game of rugby you're after, save some cash and buy yourself a real rugby ball.

This looks really cack in play, though I was well-inclined to it for a while. Eventually the frustrations of the single player game got me down and too disheartened to go further.

It's sometimes extremely difficult to see who has the ball, often at crucial points in the game, but this is as nothing next to the unfair tackling that commonly occurs.

A tackle consists of your player flopping onto the pitch, usually missing the intended target. Fair enough, but the computer seems much luckier. It also manages to drum up loads of super-fast defenders, just as you have the line in sight. The other major moan is the oversize pitch. But apart from that, it's okay.

That might not sound convincing, but Rugby desperadoes don't have any other options.

Presentation 89%
P. Comprehensive options to alter game length and team set ups, the scanner is well placed.
N. No in-game quit option.

Graphics 64%
P. There are a lot of thingies (presumably players) moving at one time during play, and scrolling smooth. A successful functional approach.
N. The characters are small, and lack detail. Not attractive as a game.

Sound 67%
P. Atmospheric and authentic enough, in the ways of whistles, groans oohs and aahs. Fair music.
N. Nothing astoundingly original and not enough pain sound!

Playability 72%
P. The rules are easier to pick up than American football and the game plays faster.
N. Annoying shortcomings, like the tackling system, make it hard to like.

Lastability 70%
P. Two players may find amusement, and single players with Rugby fixations should scale the heights of the long tournaments.
N. This won't strike fans as a classic sports sim.

Overall 71%
An average Rugby game, which has some play flaws to add to its drab appearance. It's fun after a fashion, but fails to capture the real spirit of the sport.