Ireland Stay Seventh In Rankings

Tommy Bowe evades a tackle during Ireland’s 43-12 autumn International win over Romania on Saturday

Thanks to Saturday’s victory against Romania, seventh-placed Ireland have widened the gap between themselves and Argentina in the latest IRB World Rankings.

The main change in the top 10 sees France move into third ahead of Australia by virtue of their 26-20 Stade de France defeat of second-ranked South Africa on Saturday. It is the first time that a Northern Hemisphere side has been in the world’s top-three since December 2004, when England were sitting pretty in third.

Also in the top 10, Scotland swap places with Fiji – the former shift up to ninth – after the Islanders lost 23-8 to eleventh-ranked Italy in Monza. The Scots were defeated 29-10 by all-conquering New Zealand, who were completing the final leg of their historic “Grand Slam” tour in Murrayfield. However, Frank Hadden’s home side did well to, at least, draw the second half 7-7.

Italy, Ireland’s opening Six Nations’ opponents at Lansdowne Road on February 4 next, scored second half tries through Fabio Ongaro and Mirco Bergamasco, with fly-half Ramiro Pez kicking 13 points for a well-executed win over the Fijians.

IRB WORLD RANKINGS: Released on November 28

(1) New Zealand 93.32 Rating Points

(2) South Africa 88.76

(3) France 86.10

(4) Australia 83.93

(5) England 83.27

(6) Wales 82.54

(7) Ireland 80.03

(8) Argentina 78.16

(9) Scotland 73.60

(10) Fiji 73.11

(11) Italy 72.40

(12) Samoa 70.97

(13) United States 68.31

(14) Canada 67.42

(15) Romania 66.47