Latest World Rugby rankings: What Six Nations wins for Scotland and Ireland did to the standings
The World Rugby rankings after wins for Scotland and Ireland.
England will drop down to fourth in the World Rugby rankings providing France defeat Wales after their loss in the Calcutta Cup.
Many felt that Steve Borthwick’s men were the closest challengers to the Springboks, despite being behind the world champions and the All Blacks in the standings, but their loss in Edinburgh has given them food for thought.
Scotland were superb at Murrayfield as they regained the Calcutta Cup with a 31-20 triumph – their fifth victory over the English in the past six years – to end the Auld Enemy’s 12-match winning run.
Tries from Huw Jones (two), Jamie Ritchie and Ben White saw them claim a bonus-point triumph over England in the Six Nations to ease the pressure on head coach Gregor Townsend.
As a result, Borthwick’s charges drop down to fourth in the rankings ahead of France’s game against Wales on Sunday.
Providing Les Bleus do what is expected and overcome the Welsh, England’s demotion will be confirmed when the official standings are released on Monday.
No points for Ireland
They do not drop further, however, despite Ireland’s victory over Italy as Andy Farrell’s men did not earn any points for overcoming the Azzurri 20-13.
Although the Italians did not lose anything for their reversal in Dublin, Scotland have gone above them in the World Rugby rankings after beating England.
They move up to ninth and at one stage were set to go as high as seventh with them 18 points in front of their opponents at one stage in the Six Nations encounter, but Ben Earl’s late converted try reduced the arrears to 11 at the full-time whistle.
Had Scotland held on for a 31-13 success, it would have made it much tighter between the fourth and fifth placed sides where 0.05 would have separated England and Ireland ahead of their Twickenham clash next weekend.
As it stands now, Borthwick’s side are on 87.71 points with the Irishmen on 86.81, which looks a healthy enough lead, but a win for Farrell’s team next weekend will see them swap positions.
That is, of course, if France do not do the unthinkable and lose to Wales, thus handing third position back to the English.
All eyes therefore turn to Cardiff on Sunday to see if Les Bleus can get the job done and officially go into third behind the Springboks and All Blacks.
World Rugby rankings
*As of 14/02/2026 – before the Wales v France result
1 (1) South Africa 93.94
2 (2) New Zealand 90.33
3 (4) France 88.40
4 (3) England 87.71
5 (5) Ireland 86.81
6 (6) Argentina 84.97
7 (7) Australia 81.53
8 (8) Fiji 81.14
9 (10) Scotland 81.10
10 (9) Italy 79.81