Latest World Rugby rankings: England end the year in third as the impact of the weekend’s results are confirmed
Henry Pollock and the World Rugby Rankings
England will finish the year in third place on the official World Rugby rankings after claiming their 11th straight victory.
Steve Borthwick’s side held on to defeat Argentina 27-23 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Sunday evening to cement their third-place ranking behind South Africa and New Zealand, respectively.
Weekend’s impact
Prior to kick off against the Pumas, the bands for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup had been finalised but there was a threat England could surrender third position to Ireland in defeat.
Instead, the hosts held out for the victory and closed the gap on the All Blacks to 0.92, as Scott Robertson’s men earned no rating points for the victory over Wales on Saturday.
There was late movement in the bands; however, as Wales and Japan both moved up the rankings, by one position, after the latter’s 25-23 victory over Georgia, who dropped two ranking positions. That meant that Georgians dropped from band 2 ahead of the draw for Australia 2027 to band 3.
World Cup hosts, the Wallabies needed to a record a massive win over France in order to elevate themselves into band 1 but failed to do so as they finished the year in seventh position and in band 2 along with Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales and Japan. Les Bleus’ win meant that they held onto fifth place in the rankings.
South Africa and Wales will face off in the final match of the year next weekend and even in defeat, the Springboks will not surrender top spot. While Wales can improve their rating points, it would not be enough to move back into the top 10, ahead of Italy.
Confirmed Rugby World Cup draw bands
Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada
When will the 2027 World Cup draw be made, and where can I watch it?
Latest World Rugby Rankings
As of 23/11/2025
1 South Africa 93.94 (+0.88)
2 New Zealand 90.33
3 England 89.41 (+0.32)
4 Ireland 87.97 (-0.88)
5 France 87.24 (+0.16)
6 Argentina 84.97 (-0.32)
7 Australia 81.53 (-0.16)
8 Fiji 81.14 (+0.11)
9 Scotland 80.22
10 Italy 78.98
11 (+1) Wales 74.23
12 (+1) Japan 74.09 (+1.51)
13 (↓2) Georgia 73.18 (-1.51)
14 Spain 69.01 (-0.11)
15 (+1) USA 68.26
16 (-1) Uruguay 68.19 (-0.34)
17 (+1) Chile 66.72
18 (+1) Tonga 66.66
19 (-2) Samoa 66.43 (-0.51)
20 Portugal 64.98 (+0.10)
England hold off brave fightback from spirited Argentina to clinch 11th successive victory
