There has been a big shake-up in the global standings after another eventful Six Nations weekend
Wales have dropped to 12th in the world after their narrow defeat to Scotland(Image: Getty Images)
Another eventful weekend of Six Nations action has not only shaken up the championship table but also the world rankings, with Wales, England and France among the teams to drop down the global standings.
Against Scotland, Steve Tandy’s Welsh side came so close to ending their dismal losing run in the tournament, which is rapidly approaching the three-year mark. But while they led 17-5 at half-time through tries from Rhys Carre and Josh Adams, a Scottish comeback saw them edge ahead of the hosts in the 75th minute in Cardiff to win 23-26.
England, meanwhile, delivered a nightmare performance as they were thumped 42-21 by Ireland at the Allianz Stadium, with the result not only their fifth heaviest at home but a record away winning margin in England for Andy Farrell’s visitors.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
The weekend’s other Six Nations showdown saw France claim a 33-8 win at home to Italy, with Les Bleus’ Grand Slam bid still very much alive heading into the final two fixtures of this year’s championship.
However, Fabien Galthie’s side have dropped down the global standings alongside Wales and England as a result of the weekend’s action, with the latest World Rugby rankings published on Monday afternoon.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Having lost 0.61 ranking points as a result of their defeat to Scotland, Wales have slipped from 11th to 12th in the world, dropping below Japan, who are now 0.47 ranking points ahead of Tandy’s side.
England, meanwhile, have fallen from fourth to fifth after their humilation at the hands of Ireland, with France also slipping one place and moving from third to fourth.
While they were convincing winners in Lille and remain the only Six Nations team unbeten in this year’s championship, Galthie’s side did not gain any ranking points for their victory over the Italians.
As a result, they have been overtaken by Ireland, who jump from fifth to third having received a significant 2.09 ranking points by hammering England.
Scotland are the other big winners from the weekend, having also climbed two places in the global standings and moved up from ninth to seventh in the world.
Gregor Townsend’s side’s rise up the table means that both Australia and Fiji have dropped one place, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup hosts slipping to eighth and the Flying Fijians being demoted to ninth.
Further down the global order, Portugal have moved up from 19th to 17th in the world following the third round of the Rugby Europe’s Men’s Championship, overtaking Tonga and Chile in the process.
Switzerland, meanwhile, are now 27th in the world – one place off their all-time best ranking – and have moved ahead of the Netherlands after beating them 29-23.
The latest World Rugby rankings (Feb 23)
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.