The inaugural round of the 2026 Six Nations is poised to significantly impact the World Rugby rankings. As it stands, South Africa and New Zealand retain their positions at the top, making it impossible for any team to overtake them following the first match week. However, England, Ireland, and France face potential shifts in their standings, particularly England, which is currently ranked third.
Potential Rankings Changes for England
England could face a drop in the rankings if they lose to Wales, who are eager to break England’s impressive 11-match winning streak. A narrow victory for Wales would net them two ranking points. However, to move beyond their 11th position, they would need to win by over 15 points while also relying on Scotland to achieve a similar margin of victory.
Key Matchups to Watch
- England vs. Wales
- France vs. Ireland
- Italy vs. Scotland
In the case of a draw between England and Wales, England would lose a point, and Wales would gain one. Wales cannot drop below 11th place, as Georgia is not expected to earn points this weekend.
France and Ireland’s Clash
The highly anticipated match between France and Ireland will determine which team emerges as the highest-ranked at the end of the weekend. Currently, Ireland sits at fourth place. If France secures a victory, they will swap positions with Ireland based on the margin of their win.
Rankings Implications
| Match-up | Conditions | France Ranking | Ireland Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| France win by ≤ 15 points | France moves to 88.01 | 88.01 | 87.19 |
| France win by > 15 points | France moves to 88.40 | 88.40 | 86.81 |
| Draw | France remains at 87.01 | 87.01 | 88.19 |
| Ireland win by ≤ 15 points | Ireland moves to 89.19 | 86.01 | 89.19 |
| Ireland win by > 15 points | Ireland moves to 89.81 | 85.40 | 89.81 |
Italy and Scotland Face Off
The clash between Italy and Scotland could also lead to a shuffle in the rankings. If Italy wins by over 15 points, they could improve their standing. Conversely, Scotland needs to secure a win to avoid descending further in the rankings.
Current World Rugby Rankings
- 1. South Africa – 93.94
- 2. New Zealand – 90.33
- 3. England – 89.41
- 4. Ireland – 87.97
- 5. France – 87.24
- 6. Argentina – 84.97
- 7. Australia – 81.53
- 8. Fiji – 81.14
- 9. Scotland – 80.22
- 10. Italy – 78.98
- 11. Wales – 74.23
- 12. Japan – 74.09
This weekend’s matches promise a thrilling start to the Six Nations. Expect dynamic changes across the rankings as teams vie for points and positioning.
