World Rugby has unveiled crucial ranking permutations ahead of an exciting weekend of international matches. The competition for top positions will draw significant attention, but Wales faces the most pressing challenge. Their ranking is at risk of falling out of the world’s top twelve, which could have major implications for future tournaments.
Current Rankings Overview
The reigning world champions, South Africa, maintain their top position with a considerable lead. They are currently 18.95 points ahead of Japan, who would need an extraordinary performance at Wembley to challenge this ranking. A win for Japan could open pathways for other nations to improve their standings.
Should South Africa draw or lose this weekend, their ranking could be jeopardized. In such scenarios, either Ireland or New Zealand can leapfrog them with a win at Soldier Field in Chicago. However, the All Blacks and the Irish cannot surpass South Africa’s rating with a victory alone this week.
Ireland and New Zealand’s Quest
- If South Africa draws, Ireland or New Zealand must win by more than 15 points to take the top spot.
- A loss for South Africa will automatically elevate the winner of the Ireland vs. New Zealand match to first place.
- After this weekend, Ireland could reach a rating of 91.36 points, while New Zealand could go as high as 91.49 points.
Wales’ Critical Situation
Wales faces a precarious situation. Their ranking could plunge to as low as 14th if Japan manages a draw or victory. A draw would position Japan in a stronger bracket for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, relegating Wales to 13th place, jeopardizing their seeding in upcoming tournaments.
The implications of Wales falling to a lower ranking could result in them being classified into a challenging group, often referred to as a “Pool of Death.” Conversely, a victory for Japan could propel them to 11th place, while diminishing Georgia’s standing.
Australia and England Clash
The match between Australia and England at Allianz Stadium holds significant ranking importance. The Wallabies can enter the top six if they avoid defeat, while a win by more than 15 points could see them leapfrog England into fifth place. England, meanwhile, has the chance to overtake France and claim fourth position with a win.
Scotland and the USA’s Challenges
Scotland, currently sitting at eighth, is in a comfortable position ahead of the USA and has little to gain from a home win at Murrayfield. A loss could see them drop below Fiji, while a historic win for the USA could elevate them above Spain into 14th place.
Minor Shifts in Lower Tiers
In the lower tiers of Rugby Europe, several teams also face potential shifts in rankings:
- Sweden cannot rise above their highest-ever ranking of 30th, even with a win against Lithuania.
- Denmark could experience a significant boost, moving up four places with an away victory over Croatia in the Trophy competition.
- In the Conference, Latvia is secure in their position against Norway, leaving little opportunity for rank changes.
As the weekend unfolds, the world of rugby is set for intense battles, where rankings will significantly impact future tournaments and the Rugby World Cup seeding process.
