World Rankings: France within touching distance of All Blacks
NEWS: Ireland’s record 32-15 win over 14-man England at Twickenham has seen the teams swap places in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.
England lost Charlie Ewels to a red card in the second minute of a pulsating contest that was only decided in the latter stages when Ireland scored 17 unanswered points.
In addition to keeping their Six Nations 2022 title hopes alive, the victory was worth 2.09 rating points to Ireland, to boost their overall total to 88.09 and put them in fourth place.
Following the loss of an identical number of points, England are now on 84.83 points and in fifth place.
Grand Slam-chasing France remain the highest-ranked of the European nations, however, after cementing third position with an equally hard-fought 13-9 win against Wales on Friday.
Having gained nearly three-quarters of a point for their first win in Cardiff since 2014, Les Bleus are now on 88.56 points and within touching distance of the All Blacks in second.
Victory over England in the final round of Six Nations 2022 in Paris on Saturday would not only secure France their first title and Grand Slam since 2010 but also see them equal their highest position in the rankings.
France haven’t been second since they defeated New Zealand in Cardiff in the quarter-final of Rugby World Cup 2007.
Defending Six Nations champions Wales have slipped down a place to eighth with Scotland, who fractionally improved their rating after beating Italy 33-22 in Rome, the team to benefit.
