Patch 1.5 Notes

Highlights

• Updated rosters of following teams:
  • France 
    
  • Italy 
    
  • Ireland 
    
  • Scotland 
    
  • Wales
  
  
• Changed the look of some players
  
• Updated the stats of all players and teams to reflect the current Rugby season
  
• Backup mechanism implemented for corrupted save files 

Gameplay

• Holding B to add 2 players into the ruck takes effect faster (0.25s, down from 0.6s) 
  
• Sprinting when there is no stamina left is faster 
  
• Tackle distance has been slightly reduced 
  
• Players now have a "blind spot" behind them from which they cannot tackle 
  
• User-controlled players in defense are now facing the opponents when running (whenever possible) 
  
• Simplified the inputs for sidestepping. One "tap" of RS to the left or the right initiate a sidestep. Fending is done by holding RS in the wanted fend direction (360 dodge input for back players is unchanged) 
  
• Players now reposition faster between phases, causing less defensive gaps after a fast played penalty 
  
• Slowdown on some free ball pickup animations has been reduced
  
• It's been made easier to introduce the ball in scrums and throw the ball in during line-outs
  
• Added haptics 
  
• Added horn sound at end of regulation time, and music at intro / halftime / outro

AI

• AI always kicks into touch when winning to end the game
  
• AI performs more offloads 
  
• Reduced time for AI to choose an action after rucks 
  
• AI ruck tuning (slightly easier on Pro difficulty to turn a ruck over) 

HUD

• Added a progress bar for challenges during a match 
  
• The score panel timer goes red at end of regulation time, and now displays seconds 
  
• The score panel in Online mode is used to display running advantages

Menu

• Clearer stamina display in management and training menus 
  
• The experience and rewards formula has been changed (lowered required XP with faster level-up on low levels, but greater rewards at higher levels) 
  
• Fixed booster content disappearing after video ends 

Network

• Improved network gaming experience

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a possible bug where no one caught the ball during a line-out
  
• Fixed line-out AI not selecting the right jumper when reacting to a fake or jump 
  
• Fixed an issue where a tackle near the try line sometimes leading to the player getting up slowly while others waited. Ball is now dropped, leading to faster play.
  
• Fixed fast played penalties sometimes causing softlocks
  
• Fixed the scrum extractor sometimes not coming to extract the ball
  
• Fixed AI players sometimes running straight, even when colliding with an opponent 
  
• Fixed referee not whistling foul when players offside at breakdown perform a tackle 

Ruck

• Lowered by 70% the influence of the first defender sent into the ruck.
  
• Illegal jackaling is punished faster by the referee.
  
• Jackling impact on the ruck has been slightly reduced.
  
• The AI is now more efficient during the ruck in Pro difficulty by sending players into the ruck faster.
  
• Players stamina has a greater influence on the ruck.
  
• Animations are more dynamic.
  

Referee

• The referee is now more tolerant
  
• The knock-ons are better handled (ex: some small knock-ons that were imperceptible are not whistled anymore).
  
• When an AI-controlled player is offside, he'll be less prone to play the ball.
  
• AI now performs fewer high tackles.
  
• “Advantage lost” is no longer displayed when lost less than a second after the advantage was granted.
  
• Tap And Go is now available when “Hands in ruck“ is whistled.
  

AI

• The difference between the AI of teams is more significant
  
• The players catch the ball more efficiently after a kick and on the ground
  
• AI uses more diverse and consistent play styles to respond to different situations (positions on the field, current score, current time, etc…) :
  
• Playing pick'n'go style to fixate defense.
  
• Playing wide towards wings to exploit a favorable player ratio.
  
• Kicking far in an empty space or towards touchline to escape pressure.
  
• Trying out grubbers/chip kicks towards teammates to gain meters.
  
• Set plays near opponent try line to create confusion and breakthrough possibilities.
  
• etc…
  
• AI teams are assigned one of the three following play styles and adapt their play accordingly:
  
• Possession (focused on short passes, pick'n'go and set plays)
  
• Occupation (tends to play more with kicks to gain terrain)
  
• Balanced (a blend of the two others)
  

Kick

• When kicking during the open play the default direction is now in the direction of the attack.
  

Solo mode

• A mid-season budget bonus has been added to increase your overall budget.
  
• The overall score of your squad now has two numbers
  
• The first one (displayed on the right of the score) is the global one taking into account the cohesion between your players
  
• The second one is the average score of your 23 players.
  

Bug fixes

• Control tips are now available in the pause menu.
  
• AI jersey is chosen according to user’s jersey so that the colors are as different as possible.
  
• A “Surprise me” button has been added to randomly choose bonus cards before a match.
  
• You can see your current challenges in the pause menu, do not forget this is a great way to gain more SP and XP!