Recent RBS Six Nations defeats to Italy and England mean Wales
are in their lowest position since the early part of 1999 before Five Nations’ wins over France and England sparked a move up the ladder.
Wales are two spots behind Scotland, their next RBS Six Nations opponents.
Scotland play Wales at home on March 8 in what is being dubbed the ‘Wooden Spoon Decider’.
The Scots have also been heading downward, dropping over 40 rankings points after heavy RBS Six Nations losses to Ireland and France.
Meanwhile, England’s strong start to the RBS Six Nations sees them remain clear of New Zealand at the top of the World. Their Millennium, Stadium victory extended their winning run to eight Tests but a slip-up against either Scotland or Ireland would almost certainly see them lose the No.1 position that they have held since the Autumn Internationals.
Eddie O’Sullivan’s Ireland also continue to make ground and are secure at sixth in the rankings, although even if they came away with a Grand Slam, it would be unlikely that they would overtake fifth-placed South Africa.
Lower down the table, Portugal’s two recent upset wins in the European Nations Cup, or Six Nations B competition, over Spain and Romania have seen them move up three places to 21st, ahead of Russia who were not in action last weekend.
(-) 1 England 1221 (+4)
2 New Zealand 1206
3 Australia 1146
(-) 4 France 1125 (+13)
5 South Africa 1045
(-) 6 Ireland 875 (+18)
(-) 7 Scotland 793 (-42)
(+1) 8 Argentina 755
(-1) 9 Wales 734 (-38)
10 Samoa 680
11 Canada 603
(-) 12 Italy 599 (+26)
13 Fiji 567
14 Tonga 504
15 Japan 471
(-) 16 Romania 362 (-16)
(-) 17 Georgia 355 (+2)
17 United States 345
19 Uruguay 295
20 Namibia 294
(+3) 21 Portugal 281
(-1) 22 Russia 276
(-1) 23= Tunisia 262
(-1) 23= Korea 262
25 Chile 260
