Another World Ranking shuffle on the cards
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For the second time in the space of a week, there could be a new name at the top of the World Rugby’s Rankings once they are officially updated on Monday.
Ireland have a golden opportunity to emulate Wales and climb to the top of the World Rugby Men’s Rankings for the first time in history when they play England at Twickenham this weekend.
With Wales and New Zealand both having a rest week, a win for the Irish on Saturday will see them leapfrog those sides above them and move from third place to first. For England, third place is within their reach.
On the same day, Scotland and France will dispute seventh place as Murrayfield prepares to house a capacity crowd for the 15th consecutive international, while in Africa Kenya will host Zambia and Zimbabwe tackle Uganda in the Victoria Cup 2019.
This weekend’s action begins with the first round of the Oceania Rugby Cup on Friday. Niue Island will play the Solomon Islands in their first international since 2011, while Papua New Guinea take on Nauru in a match that does not count towards the rankings as Nauru are not full members of World Rugby.
Two matches in Colombia on Sunday will round off the action as the Americas Rugby Challenge gets underway with Paraguay against Mexico before the hosts tackle the Cayman Islands.
