Kicking: To gain important field position when deep inside your own half, try kicking up field and aiming for the touchline to take the pressure of your team.

Set Plays: Take time to learn and understand the set plays as each play has its benefits and downfalls depending on your field position.

Manual Ruck Control: By pressing the "square" button while defending, you can control the number of players entering the ruck. The quicker the players are put in the greater the chance of turning the ball over.

Lineout: The lineout is one of the most crucial elements in the game of rugby. Understanding the lineout plays and mastering the control system will be very important to mastering Rugby 2004.

Drop goal: The drop goal when completed successfully can be an easy 3 points, but you do sacrifice important field position.

World League: By winning games and scoring tries you will earn valuable points to be put towards buying players and upgrading your team. This will ultimately lead to your progression through the divisions.

World League: Don?t use all your points too early, make sure you have enough points at the end of the season to maintain your team and progress in the game.

Tournaments: Make sure not to get red carded during a tournament, as that player will have to sit out the next match.

Scrum: The scrum is a very important area in the game of rugby. By dominating the scrum it can set up quality room for the backs to do their magic.

Goal Kicking: When taking set shots at goals, whether they are penalty shots or try conversion attempts, make sure an eye is kept on the wind meter and adjust your arrow accordingly.

Cut out pass: The cut out pass is an excellent strategy to move the ball out the back line quickly. This will give the fastest players on the team, the wingers more space to show off their speed.

Kick off: Adjust the power, height and direction of the kickoff to try and fool the opposition and to give yourself a better opportunity to retain the ball.

Kicking: Be bold and attempt all of the different types of kicks. Each kick has different pros and cons and mastering all the kicks will be very important to getting the most out of Rugby 2004.

Team Selection: When selecting your 30-man squad for the tournaments make sure you include replacements for all of the positions. Injury and suspension can ruin a promising world cup campaign if there aren't adequate replacements.