Wales crash of top 10 amid loss, while Fiji climb back in

A bumper weekend of international rugby has led to multiple changes to the World Rugby Men's Rankings, including Wales dropping out of the top 10 for the first time in history.

Fiji have replaced them there after they beat Georgia 21-12 in Batumi on Friday, while Wales lost 25-16 to Australia in Sydney the following day.

Warren Gatland has now been in charge of Wales when they were top of the rankings (on the eve of RWC 2019) and also at their lowest ebb.

The Wallabies, who also faced the prospect of falling to an all-time low of 11th if they were beaten, have instead moved up a place, above an Italian side who squandered a 10-point lead to lose 33-25 to Samoa in Apia.

In turn, Samoa have overtaken Georgia and are now the higher-ranked of the two teams in 13th.

Meanwhile, at the top of the rankings South Africa have increased their advantage over Ireland to 4.49 points after they beat the Guinness Men's Six Nations champions 27-20 in Pretoria.

With New Zealand edging England 16-15, there is only a quarter of a point between the Irish and the All Blacks in second and third.

The gap between France in fourth and England in fifth is now slightly bigger after an inexperienced Les Bleus outfit did fantastically well to beat Argentina 28-13 in Mendoza.

Scotland did not receive any points for their emphatic 73-12 win over Canada due to the large points differential between the teams, and Gregor Townsend's men remain in sixth.

Further down the rankings, USA's narrow 22-20 defeat to Romania in Chicago has led to a loss of one place, with the Men's Eagles now 18th. Uruguay have replaced them in 17th.

Chile's 22-17 victory against Hong Kong China has led to Los Condores climbing up to 21st to equal their highest ever position, with Canada and Namibia the sides to lose ground.

Singapore's 19-16 home defeat to Chinese Taipei in the last match of the Unions Cup 2024 was costly as they are now ranked five places lower in 60th.

Thailand's 18-12 win over Chinese Taipei earlier in the week led to them moving up to 73rd on the back of a six-place gain.