I would avoid giving players speed rating like the ones above, the game rewards speed above all other ratings and it just becomes pathetic when you can run across field everytime to just outpace all the defence.
If anything the gap between the speed of backs and forwards is far too significant in EA rugby games. Most backs only have about a half to 1 second of pace on locks and flankers, it is really their ability to reach their top speed faster that can make the most difference.
For that reason I feel all wings, centres and fullbacks in the game should be dialled down to the upper 70s in speed with only the fastest players having a speed rating approaching the mid 80s.
So for example players like P.Burger and Habana would have speed ratings of 84 and 83, while fellows like Rockocko would have 80 and Sivivatu 79. There acceleration however should be significantly quicker than the forwards and may still sit around the 90s. Flankers like McCaw and G.Smith would then have competitive pace around their 72 or 74 speed mark with significantly lower acceleration also in the 70s.
Of course this would require huge adjustments to a lot of other players, with centres, fullbacks, flyhalfs and the like needing similar adjustments. Done right though rugby would be a much more rewarding game, with kicking and forward play becoming far more viable, instead of just going wide at every opportunity and scoring with speedy backs.
What are your thoughts?