Updated world rugby rankings ahead of Six Nations round 2
Here is how the world rankings look ahead of the second round of the Six Nations, which includes a big clash between England and France.
With the Springboks still enjoying a two point lead at the summit of the world rugby rankings, there will be a keen interest on how the Six Nations progresses this season.
This past weekend there was only one minor change for sixth-placed Scotland, who were able to improve their ranking by 0.23 after a good win over Italy.
The world rankings always do seem to draw interest from the rugby community, and just this week former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw suggested New Zealand can return to the summit of world rugby, saying “there’s no reason why we can’t knock most or all of the teams off”.
“Last year you would say everyone had a good learning – it was a pretty good year by and large, but there are things they would learn from,” the former All Blacks skipper said. “With another year gone they will be even better prepared and know what they are in for.
“If you look at the talent across New Zealand, all the Super teams that funnel into the All Blacks, we are still in pretty good shape,” the two-time World Cup winner added.
“There’s no reason why we can’t expect performances at the top level and knock most or all of the teams off. There’s no reason why we can’t, I think.”
For now, though, any Test rugby focus revolves around the Six Nations as the tournament heads into round two this weekend.
In the opening round, France made a clear statement with a 43-0 whitewash of Wales, but Le Bleus will face a far greater challenge in round two against an England team that will be desperate to bounce back after a narrow defeat to Ireland.
In other matches, Italy will host Wales on Saturday, while Scotland face Ireland the next day.
Six Nations fixtures as England take on France
Saturday, 8 February
- Italy v Wales (16:15 kick off SA time)
- England v France (18:45 kick off) – pick of round 2 for the Six Nations
Sunday, 9 February
Scotland v Ireland (17:00)
CURRENT WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AFTER ROUND 1 OF THE SIX NATIONS
| RANK | COUNTRY | POINTS |
| 1 | South Africa | 92.78 |
| 2 | Ireland | 90.78 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 90.36 |
| 4 | France | 88.51 |
| 5 | Argentina | 84.97 |
| 6 | Scotland | 83.57 |
| 7 | England | 82.31 |
| 8 | Australia | 81.52 |
| 9 | Fiji | 80.07 |
| 10 | Italy | 78.41 |
| 11 | Wales | 74.01 |
| 12 | Georgia | 73.85 |
| 13 | Japan | 72.95 |
| 14 | Samoa | 72.68 |
| 15 | USA | 70.02 |
| 16 | Portugal | 68.82 |
| 17 | Uruguay | 67.06 |
| 18 | Spain | 65.98 |
| 19 | Tonga | 65.46 |
| 20 | Romania | 63.01 |
SIX NATIONS 2025 FIXTURES
ROUND 2
Saturday, 8 February
Italy vs Wales
England vs France
Sunday, 9 February
Scotland vs Ireland
ROUND 3
Saturday, 22 February
Wales vs Ireland
England vs Scotland
Sunday, 23 February
Italy vs France
ROUND 4
Saturday, 8 March
Ireland vs France
Scotland vs Wales
Sunday, 9 March
England vs Italy
ROUND 5
Saturday, 15 March
Italy vs Ireland
Wales vs England
France vs Scotland
WHICH FIXTURES ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AND WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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