World Rankings: Boks drop to seventh
Wales' 22-9 win over Ireland has taken them above South Africa, who drop to their seventh and their lowest position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003.
Scotland did not lose any points despite coming out on the wrong side of a 61-21 scoreline against England, meaning they hang on to fifth place – but only just. Scotland are now on 82.18 points, just two-hundredths above Wales.
England's record-equalling 18th straight win against Scotland, thanks to a man-of-the-match display from hat-trick hero Jonathan Joseph, did not come with any form of rankings reward as a consequence of the 8.84 rating point difference between the sides before home weighting is taken into account.
They remain in second place on 91.02 points – 3.76 behind the All Blacks, who were quick to congratulate England on their Six Nations title via head coach Steve Hansen.
Les Bleus picked up 0.64 of a rating point for their 40-18 win over Italy in Rome to extend their points cushion over ninth-placed Argentina to 1.3 points.
Italy have now lost 10 in a row in Rome and a further loss of rating points has seen them slip one place in the rankings to 15th with Samoa the beneficiaries.
@WorldRugby
