Ireland have slipped one place to fifth in the latest IRB World Rankings, although they are level on 83.20 rating points with France, who are the new leading European side after their defeat of Tri Nations champions South Africa.
Despite seeing victory snatched from their grasp by Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll’s last-minute try at Croke Park on Sunday, third-placed Australia have increased their rating points by seven hundredths to 85.63.
The draw though means Ireland have lost their mantle as the leading northern Hemisphere nation with France assuming fourth place, albeit by mere thousandths with both teams sitting on 83.20 points.
New Zealand have returned to the top of the IRB World Rankings. The All Blacks did not improve their own rating with a 20-6 victory over Italy at the San Siro Stadium, but regain the place they lost in July as a result of South Africa suffering a 20-13 loss to France in Toulouse.
New Zealand now have a 0.55 point advantage over the side that beat them three times in the Tri Nations, with the Wallabies more than four points adrift of South Africa after their Dublin draw.
England’s 16-9 victory over Argentina sees them climb two places to sixth with the Pumas and Wales – the 17-13 conquerors of Samoa on Friday – both slipping one as a result.
Only a tenth now separates Wales and Argentina ahead of their meeting in Cardiff next weekend. Wales still have a cushion of more than four points over Scotland, who swap places with Fiji after beating the islanders 23-10 at Murrayfield.
The tenth-ranked Fijians are Ireland’s next opponents in the GUINNESS Series. The RDS will host its first senior rugby international when the sides meet there next Saturday evening (kick-off 5.15pm).
There are still tickets available for Saturday’s game at the RDS. Click here for further information.
IRB WORLD RANKINGS (As of Monday, November 16):
1(2) NEW ZEALAND 90.52 rating points
2(1) SOUTH AFRICA 89.97
3(3) AUSTRALIA 85.63
4(5) FRANCE 83.20
5(4) IRELAND 83.20
6(8) ENGLAND 81.07
7(6) ARGENTINA 80.49
8(7) WALES 80.39
9(10) SCOTLAND 76.06
10(9) FIJI 75.69
* Last week’s positions in brackets
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