World Rankings record on the line in round two of the Six Nations

A first-ever Six Nations away win over Ireland will send Italy up to an all-time high of seventh in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, unless Scotland get an even bigger result at home to England in the second of the two Saturday matches.

Last weekend, the Azzurri moved up a place to ninth, one short of their current record of eighth, following their 18-15 win at home to Scotland. And they will gain an additional two places if they breach the Aviva Stadium fortress, and Scotland fail to beat England by more than 15 points.

That said, an Italian victory by a similarly big margin would make the result of the Calcutta Cup clash immaterial, with the Azzurri assured of seventh place in that instance.

History is against Italy, though, as they have only won back-to-back games at the start of a Six Nations twice before, in 2007 and 2024.

Their only previous success against Ireland in Dublin was a 37-29 victory at the old Lansdowne Road in January 1997, in which Diego Dominguez contributed 22 points. Dominguez’s opposite number, Paul Burke, kicked eight penalties for Ireland, whose only try came through Jonny Bell.

Rankings-wise, fifth-placed Ireland are currently at their lowest ebb for nearly four years, and they would fall further this weekend if they fail to preserve their unbeaten home record against Italy in the Six Nations.

A rare defeat to Italy – Ireland are on a 16-game winning run in the fixture – would send them down to sixth for the first time since March 2021.

If the other Six Nations matches go true to form, with away wins for England and France against Scotland and Wales, the two favourites for the Championship title will remain third and fourth in the rankings.

Italy are not the only team that can break new ground this weekend. Depending on how the other results in the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship pan out, Switzerland and the Netherlands can achieve historic highs.

However, they’ll have their work cut out as they’re up against the two best teams in the competition – 2025 runners-up Spain and reigning champions Georgia.

Meanwhile, Romania, who are currently at their lowest-ever position of 22nd, will sink further if they lose at home to Belgium.

Current World Rugby Men’s Rankings Top 12

1. South Africa 93.94
2. New Zealand 90.33
3. England 89.41
4. France 88.40
5. Ireland 86.81
6. Argentina 84.97
7. Australia 81.53
8. Fiji 81.14
9. Italy 79.81
10. Scotland 79.40
11. Wales 74.23
12. Japan 74.09