Latest World Rankings: Ireland & Scotland climb

February 07, 2022
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Ultimate Rugby

A convincing victory over Wales sees Ireland move into their highest position under Andy Farrell while Scotland move ahead of Australia after their historic victory over England.

Ireland have overtaken England in the latest World Rugby Rankings, following the opening round of the 2022 Six Nations.

Andy Farrell's side secured a convincing 29-7 win over Wales earning them enough ranking points to swap places with England after Eddie Jones' side fell to a 20-17 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

England started the day 1.3 rating points and one place better off than Ireland in the rankings but they are now 0.17 points behind.

A ninth-straight victory for Ireland sees them move into their highest position since 2019.

Ireland led 10-0 at half-time, with Bundee Aki crossing over for the only try, but their dominance truly told in the second half at the Aviva Stadium. Andrew Conway added two more and Garry Ringrose joined the scoring, rendering Taine Basham's late try nothing more than a consolation as Ireland recorded a fifth home Test win in a row against Wales for the first time.

Scotland triumphed in the 140th Calcutta Cup clash, winning back-to-back games against England for the first time since 1984. The win over England sees Gregor Townsend's side move into sixth place. Scotland have now won six of their last seven Tests (L1), with their only defeat in that run coming against world champions South Africa in November.

The hosts led 10-6 at half-time after Ben White crossed for a try on his debut. However, England's Marcus Smith went over after the break – taking his personal tally to 17 points – to put Eddie Jones' side in control at 17-10 up. But there was to be a late twist with the hosts awarded a penalty try after Luke Cowan-Dickie was penalised, before Russell held his nerve to secure back-to-back wins for Scotland over England for the first time since 1984.

After a sluggish start, Gabin Villiere scored a hat-trick as France shot to the top of the Six Nations table with a 37-10 bonus-point win over Italy at the Stade de France.

The pre-tournament favourites trailed to Tommaso Menoncello's try and were again behind with half an hour played after Anthony Jelonch had temporarily put them ahead. But Villiere crossed over either side of half-time and Damian Penaud added a fourth, before Villiere completed his treble to confirm a 33rd successive loss in the competition for Italy. France have won 24 of their 25 home games against Italy in Test rugby, including their last 15 in a row, while they’ve won 21 of their 23 meetings in the Six Nations, including the last nine on the bounce.

France did not earn any rating points from the win due to the big difference between the sides in the rankings.

Outside of the Six Nations, Portugal produced a stunning performance to claim a 25 all draw against tournament favourites Georgia.

Portugal picked up two valuable points in pursuit of one of the two automatic Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification places. They also climbed three ranking places into 17th moving ahead of USA, Uruguay and Spain.