The rugby world rankings below are updated after every weekend’s action.
International Rankings
| Pos | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 94.19 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 92.11 |
| 3 | England | 87.80 |
| 4 | Ireland | 85.36 |
| 5 | Wales | 84.28 |
| 6 | France | 82.37 |
| 7 | Australia | 81.90 |
| 8 | Japan | 79.28 |
| 9 | Scotland | 78.58 |
| 10 | Argentina | 78.31 |
International rugby finds itself in an interesting place in the year after the 2019 World Cup. South Africa are the World Champions and deservedly top of the pile, with New Zealand dropping to second thanks to a number of below-par performances losses over the last few years. This year sees the 100th match between these two great rivals being played at Eden Park and it promises to be a phenomenal occasion.
England is breathing down their necks in third, and the World Cup finalists will feel they have a point to prove after losing in convincing fashion in the World Cup final. Coach Eddie Jones has two years left on his contract and will be laser focused on getting England up to number one.
In general terms, there is little separating positions four to seven in the rugby world rankings and you get the feeling it would be difficult to pick a clear winner if any of those teams had to play against each other.
Japan is full value for eight, but you get the feeling they are capable of a higher ranking than that. With a number of high profile matches lined up against higher-ranked opposition in 2020, this could be another big year for Japanese rugby.
Scotland and especially Argentina will be very disappointed with their current rugby world rankings of 9 and 10 respectively. With the Jaguares looking very good in Super Rugby, you would expect a stronger national team, considering it is made up of mostly Jaguares players. Time will tell if they have learned any lessons from last year.
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Our preview of this weekend’s Super Rugby action is up! Are we going to have more upsets in store?
Latest rugby news
- Women’s Six Nations 2023: Scotland stick with same squad for Waleson March 30, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Scotland name an unchanged starting XV and bench for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Wales in Edinburgh.
- Felix Jones: England recruit ex-Ireland full-back as assistant coachon March 30, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Former Ireland full-back Felix Jones to leave South Africa’s set-up and join England as an assistant coach after the 2023 World Cup.
- Women’s Six Nations: Ireland make five changes for France game after Wales losson March 30, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Ulster back Vicky Irwin’s inclusion is among five Ireland changes from the defeat by Wales for Saturday’s Six Nations game against France.
- Heineken Champions Cup: Test stars return for Leicester Tigers and Edinburghon March 30, 2023 at 12:44 pm
Leicester Tigers make six changes to the side that will face Edinburgh in the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 on Friday.
- Luke Cowan-Dickie injury uncertainty poses problem for England and Exeterby Robert Kitson on March 30, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Hooker out since January with ankle and neck problemsExeter’s Rob Baxter: ‘He is like a caged lion at the moment’Uncertainty continues to hang over the World Cup prospects of the England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie with the Rugby Football Union looking at ways to accelerate his return from ankle and neck problems. The 29-year-old saw a specialist on Thursday for a further assessment, but Exeter’s director of rugby, Rob Baxter, admits no one is able to say when the Cornishman will be able to resume playing.There has been speculation in France that Cowan-Dickie’s summer move to Montpellier may be under threat for medical reasons, with the player understood to be suffering from some nerve damage in his neck. Baxter says Cowan-Dickie, who has not played since injuring his ankle against Northampton in early January, is like “a caged lion” having been forced to sit out the entire Six Nations championship. Continue reading…