Patch 1.5 - Updated Player Rosters + Player Stats

It's been a couple of hectic weeks, but we're happy to be bringing some of the communities most requested features with this patch. Which sees the rosters and player (and their teams) stats getting fully updated to reflect the 2019 / 2020 season (though no doubt some of you will still be demanding that your favorites get a higher rating ːsteamhappyː). We've also got improvements to the online stability and a number of other changes, so read on for the full patch notes:

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