Record highs and lows as World Rugby Rankings get shaken up

While Wales’ 24-19 defeat to Japan saw them slip to an all-time low of 14th in the World Rugby Rankings, two countries moved to their highest-ever positions after winning at the weekend.

Chile, who are hoping to make it to a second straight Rugby World Cup, having debuted in France in 2023, warmed up for their Sudamericano 2025 World Cup home-and-away qualifiers against Brazil with an impressive 40-16 victory against Romania in Santiago.

Los Condores’ first win against the Oaks at the third attempt has lifted them above their opponents and into the world’s top 20 for the first time in history, and in the process condemned the once-proud Oaks to their lowest-ever position of 21st.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates continue to raise the bar as far as their ranking goes. Over the last 12 months, the UAE have steadily climbed the rankings, from 52nd this time last year, to their current best of 40th.

UAE went into their final match of the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship ranked 43rd, but they’ve moved up three places, on the back of a 29-21 win against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

The victory also keeps their hopes of appearing in the Final Qualification Tournament for RWC 2027 alive, as it secured them second place in Asia Rugby’s elite competition and a play-off against the Rugby Africa runners-up.

Chile and the UAE were not the only teams to climb the rankings this weekend; England and Argentina traded places, after Steve Borthwick’s side marked George Ford’s 100th cap with a statement 35-12 win in Buenos Aires. England have claimed fifth place off Los Pumas, who drop to sixth.

Japan moved up one place to 12th as a result of their win over Wales, and are now just 0.99 points behind Georgia in 11th.

There were no other significant changes to the rankings, with South Africa continuing to lead the way after their 42-24 win over Italy, followed by New Zealand and Ireland, who had wins against France, who remain in fourth, and Georgia.

The All Blacks did, however, manage to shave 0.62 points off the Springboks’ lead, which is now down to 1.8 points.

Australia strengthened their position in eighth, having snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Fiji. The 21-18 win for the Wallabies boosted their rating by 0.55 points.

The World Rugby Rankings Top 20, as of noon (BST) on 7th July, 2025

1. South Africa – 92.78
2. New Zealand – 90.98
3. Ireland – 89.83
4. France -88.90
5. England – 86.72
6. Argentina – 82.98
7. Scotland – 82.36
8. Australia – 82.08
9. Fiji – 79.52
10. Italy – 77.77
11. Georgia – 74.69
12. Japan – 73.70
13. Samoa – 72.68
14. Wales – 72.65
15. USA – 70.02
16. Spain – 67.34
17. Uruguay – 67.06
18. Portugal – 66.44
19. Tonga – 65.46
20. Chile – 63.20