World rankings: Four teams in contention for number one spot in thrilling first weekend of the Rugby World Cup

Colin Newboult 08 Sep 2023 10:09 AM

Springboks and All Blacks facing off in Rugby World Cup warm-up clash.

Ireland could lose their place at the summit of the World Rugby rankings, with South Africa, France and New Zealand all in contention to snatch top spot.

Andy Farrell’s men cannot gain anything from their clash with Romania and, with points worth double during the Rugby World Cup, they may drop down.

They have topped the rankings for the past 14 months, but they could be overhauled by South Africa if Jacques Nienaber’s outfit defeat Scotland by a margin of more than 15.

That would give them 0.88 points, which is more than they need to make up the 0.74 differential to the Irish.

New Zealand’s opportunity

A large victory for the Springboks might be inconsequential, however, if the All Blacks hammer hosts France on the opening night.

If Ian Foster’s charges defeat Les Bleus by more than 15 then they will go from fourth to first and onto a mammoth 93.01 points.

That would take them to the top of the rankings for the first time since November 2021.

The task is slightly more difficult for the French, who need to beat New Zealand and hope that Ireland and South Africa don’t overcome Romania and Scotland respectively.

They cannot get to the summit if either or both of those two sides emerge triumphant.

Record high for Scotland

Scotland could also make significant gains if they secure a momentous victory over South Africa in Marseille on Sunday.

They could even get to second, but that would only come from a bizarre set of results, which includes them winning by more than 15 points, Ireland losing to Romania and New Zealand and France drawing.

What is more likely is that they rise to fourth thanks to both them and the All Blacks claiming positive results this weekend.

The Scots could also get into the top-four if they beat the Boks and France take their clash by over 15 points in Paris.

Lower half of the top 10

A loss for Scotland could open the door for Argentina to move up and take fifth position, but they would have to beat England by more than 15 points.

Fiji are another team that could rise. With them already sitting in a record-high of seventh, the Pacific Islanders could go even higher if they beat Wales and England’s clash with Argentina ends in a draw.

A win by more than 15 points, combined with a smaller Red Rose triumph in Marseille, would also be enough to get into sixth place.

As for Steve Borthwick’s struggling side, they can move up three spots, which is also the case for Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, but that is dependant on big victories over Los Pumas and Georgia respectively, combined with results going their way elsewhere.

Finally, Georgia could rise into the top 10 for the first time by overcoming Australia, while Wales will drop to a record low if they lose to the Flying Fijians.

Argentina