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England face unprecedented World Rugby rankings fall
France has the chance to reclaim their second-place position in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings this weekend, as the governing body has released the permutations for this weekend’s test rugby.
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Out of the top 20 teams, seventeen will be in action, with Georgia, Portugal, and Spain being the exceptions.
Currently, Ireland and New Zealand hold the top two spots in the rankings, but they won’t be able to earn any points in their respective games against Italy and Australia due to the points difference before home weighting is factored in. This presents an opportunity for France to climb up in the rankings if they manage to secure a win over Scotland at Murrayfield.
A victory for France and a draw or loss for Ireland against Italy in Dublin could also propel Les Bleus to the top spot.
In addition to a France victory, South Africa has a chance to become the world’s second-best team. To achieve this, they need to defeat Argentina by more than 15 points at the Vélez Sarsfield Stadium in Buenos Aires, while also hoping for losses by Ireland and New Zealand with the same margin.
Elsewhere things could get hairy for Steve Borthwick’s England.
They’ve a chance to replace Scotland in fifth place if they defeat Wales in Cardiff and the Scots fail to secure a win. However, a loss by more than 15 points for England would see them drop to their all-time low ranking of eighth.
Meanwhile, Wales could equal their lowest-ever ranking of 10th if they lose by more than 15 points. Argentina also has an opportunity to climb as high as fifth place with a significant win against South Africa, but other match results need to favour them as well.
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Fiji, having returned to the top 10 after nearly four years, can continue their ascent with a victory against Japan. If they win and Wales loses, Fiji will secure the ninth spot.
Italy, currently outside the top 10, could move up to 11th with a victory and potentially climb even higher if other results go their way. Samoa and Tonga will face off, with the winner gaining a higher rank.
As for the lower rankings, Uruguay cannot improve their 17th position, but the USA has a chance to overtake them if they defeat Romania in Bucharest by more than 15 points. Moreover, if the Eagles win by the same margin, they will move above Portugal, the team that qualified for RWC 2023 at their expense.
Namibia could enter the top 20 if they win by more than 15 points, which would replace Uruguay and move them above Spain.
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Overall, this weekend’s Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches hold significant potential for rank changes, with France being the main contender to reclaim their second-place standing on the World Rugby rankings.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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