Another french preview popped up on jeuxvideo.com.

Summary :

- You can do random WC pool stages

- 1vs1 online, 4 players on same console

- Has a Player editor for changing names and sizes

- The Stade de france is not licensed

- Albeit unlicensed, NZ play style based on speed & Australia play style based on forwards (like the real ones)

- No clubs

- Game More arcade and more speedy than '08

- Picks & Go are very rare, most of the time games are run as fast as possible to the opposing 22 by doing passes to the wings

- Great fidelity of the kicking game

- All of the above and lack of variety in games may be attributed to a lack of experience of the present journalists

- Defense is demanding

- A button locks your defender to the ball carrier

- New ruck system described

- Intelligent referee interventions

- Hard difficulty is a real challenge

- Graphics : HB has done a lot, but stil far away from the best sports sims

- Stadium and far views are great, close views are meh

- Player models are basic, specially their faces

- On Demo version, animations were sometimes a bit stiff, on touch throws for instance, there's a lack of fluidity in players movement

- Same for running, players run very straight, even when changing trajectory

- Lack of "life" around the ball when it's on the ground

- as a result immersion is a bit lowered, but the game is spectacular nonetheless, thanks to the big hits

- Visually a bit light but not catastrophic

Conclusions

- Positive impresson

- Pad in hand, pleasure is immediate

- Simple controls allow you to replicate on the field what you want to do

- Has a feeling that there is a great margin of skill progression

- Mastering all techniques and tactics, like the defense, will take a long time

- Game rythm is maybe too fast