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Rugger is not so much a sport in this country - more a tradition. It used to command so much respect that players were treated as heroes but, alas, like many things today, commercialism has caught up and big money moves - Jonathan Davies and Rugby Union to Rugby League club Widnes for £250,000, for instance - seem likely to become commonplace.

Another note for the selling power of Rugby is the release of the Codemasters International Rugby Simulator, which proves that even an enormously physical sport can be transferred to the home computer and under the obligatory simulator tag, too. What is more amazing is that the format is one in which you take an active part, preferred to the managerial type, which also adds excitement.

The gameplay tries to emulate the sport in every aspect and even the scrummages are there - although a spot of joystick-waggling must be undertaken - and can prove very enjoyable. What happens is that you take control of any player on your team at any time - usually the one with the ball - and you must compete against a human or computer opponent who is also playing under the same conditions.

Then you must, using great skill, of course, negotiate down the field, using the odd pass to gain maximum effect and score a try. This proves more difficult than one may think.

Even conversions are included and this is done rather ingeniously, with wind direction and strength of kick all contributing factors. Other on-field features are present, like the lines-out, which are very true to life, and it all makes for a very realistic simulation.

Off-the-field presentation is also top-class, with up to eight players able to compete at the game in a league tournament and you can even choose the way you wish your team to play - the tactics, in other words. Everything is laid out in easy-to-follow menus so the likelihood of getting lost is very slim. It is always the little things which make a program.

Graphically the game does look not so much like Widnes v. Wigan - more Legoland v. Meccano - but they serve their purpose very well and are fast enough to keep you on your toes. Sound effects, too, is a factor slightly lacking and again has no negative effect towards the game. They do not enhance it but International Rugby Simulator overcomes this with its incredible gameplay.

Rugby is a sport I loved playing while at school and it is one I will now continue, with the aid of CodeMasters and an Amstrad. It is well worth the simulator title and the price.