Ireland highest ranked northern hemisphere side in latest IRB rankings

Following their comprehensive victory over England in the Six Nations at the weekend, Ireland have climbed to fourth in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings.

By defeating England 24-8 at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland not only denied their bitter rivals a Grand Slam, but also overtook them in the rankings, with only New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa ranked higher than Declan Kidney’s side.

Of the other sides in the Six Nations, England are ranked in fifth, narrowly ahead of France in sixth, Wales are ranked in seventh, Scotland in ninth and Italy in 12th.

IRB World Rankings Top 20:

1.     New Zealand

2.     Australia

3.     South Africa

4.     Ireland

5.     England

6.     France

7.     Wales

8.     Argentina

9.     Scotland

10.   Fiji

11.   Samoa

12.   Italy

13.   Japan

14.   Georgia

15.   Canada

16.   USA

17.   Tonga

18.   Romania

19.   Russia

20.   Portugal