World Rugby has published the ranking permutations for the latest round of Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches. The Top 5 can be turned on their heads if and when ...................
Defeat for Ireland against England at the Aviva Stadium will see them surrender the number one spot to New Zealand. However, Ireland cannot increase their cushion at the top as they are unable to improve their rating with victory over England due to the 10.29-point difference between the teams before home advantage is factored in.
It is possible for Andy Farrell’s side to drop as many as three places to fourth if they lose by more than 15 points and South Africa win by the same margin against Wales and France beat Fiji.
South Africa will replace France in third if they beat Wales in Cardiff this weekend, regardless of Les Bleus’ result against Fiji.
This is because France cannot improve their rating with victory over Fiji due to the 10.52 points difference between the sides before home weighting is factored in.
England must beat Ireland by more than 15 points to move up to fifth and swap places with Scotland.
Wales can jump as many as three places to seventh if they beat South Africa by more than 15 points and Fiji fail to beat Rugby World Cup 2023 hosts France.
Fiji have never been ranked higher than eighth, but sixth place is possible this weekend if they beat France by more than 15 points and Ireland match the margin in a victory over England. A smaller margin of victory will see Fiji equal their previous best provided Wales does not beat South Africa.
Fourth place is the lowest that France can fall to in defeat.
Current World Rugby Rankings
01) 91,82 Ireland
02) 90,77 All Blacks
03) 90,22 France
04) 88,97 Springboks
05) 84,01 Scotland
06) 81,53 England
07) 80,86 Argentina
08) 79,87 Australia
09) 78,70 Fiji
10) 78,66 Wales
