World Rankings: France close gap on All Blacks, Boks remain top
NEWS: New Zealand’s third-placed spot on the World Rugby Rankings is under huge threat after Round Two of the Six Nations.
France edge closer to the All Blacks after gaining 1.12 points for their nerve-racking 20-16 victory away to Scotland.
Les Bleus now have a rating of 87.39 points which, while not enough to improve on fourth place, closed the gap between themselves and New Zealand to 2.41 points.
Springboks remain on top of the pile despite second-place Ireland’s 36-0 win over Italy on Sunday.
No points were awarded to the reigning Six Nations champions, due to the 16.53 points and nine places between Ireland in second and Italy in 11th before home advantage was factored in.
Scotland keep hold of sixth place, with Argentina still 2.65 points behind them in seventh.
England, ranked in fifth, only picked up 0.08 points for their equally tense 16-14 win over Wales, to leave them further in arrears of France than before. Wales stay in eighth place, still comfortably ahead of Australia.
