England risk dropping to third in World Rugby rankings with third WXV loss

The Red Roses’ six-year stay at the top of the World Rugby rankings can end this weekend if the side lose to the USA Women’s Eagles at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

A loss by 15 points or more, combined with a third Black Ferns victory against France, could see John Mitchell’s team drop to third in the rankings behind Canada and the Black Ferns. It has been a decade since England were third in the World Rugby rankings.

England cannot improve on their rating with victory because of their current points advantage over the Eagles.

The USA can equal their all-time high of fifth in the World Rugby rankings if they beat England for the first time since the Women’s Rugby World Cup 1991 final.

A win will see Jack Hanratty’s side move ahead of Ireland regardless of their result against South Africa in Cape Town.

New Zealand can drop to third in the World Rugby rankings with a loss to France in Christchurch. Canada would move back up to second in the rankings. France will remain fourth regardless of the result.

Currently in fifth place, Ireland can drop to seventh if they fail to beat South Africa. They will drop behind the Eagles and Australia, who concluded their WXV Global Series campaign with three wins over Scotland.

South Africa can move up to eighth if they beat Ireland for the first time. A win at Athlone Stadium will see the team, led by co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, overtake Italy.

Japan can move as high as 11th with a win against Wales on Saturday. Victory by 15 points or more will see Japan move two places up the world rankings, while a win of any kind will see the Sakura Fifteen take 12th place from Fiji.

A win for Wales will not see Sean Lynn’s team move up the World Rugby rankings.