THE IRB rankings are increasingly important over the coming months in terms of securing a seeded position for the 2014 World Cup draw.
How countries stand after the November internationals will dictate the pool seedings.
England’s victory in Paris means they leap-frog both France and Wales into the crucial fourth spot (meaning a top ranking) behind the three Southern Hemisphere nations. Wales remain fifth, despite beating England, reaching last year’s World Cup semi-finals and being just one victory away from a Grand Slam.
Ireland’s recent results have also had little impact as they remain seventh with Argentina in eighth, which is the cut-off point for second-seeded nations.
Tonga are ninth, followed by Samoa, Scotland and Italy. France slide from fourth to sixth after drawing with Ireland and losing to England.
IRB WORLD RANKINGS
1(1) NEW ZEALAND 91.43
2(2) AUSTRALIA 87.99
3(3) SOUTH AFRICA 84.34
4(6) ENGLAND 82.93
5(5) WALES 82.62
6(4) FRANCE 82.61
7(7) IRELAND 80.55
8(8) ARGENTINA 80.28
9(9) TONGA 76.63
10(10) SAMOA 75.81
11(11) SCOTLAND 74.69
12(12) ITALY 73.33
