Wales back in Top 10 of World Rugby Women’s Rankings

March 28, 2022
1716
Ultimate Rugby

Wales Women's win against Ireland on Saturday has lifted the Welsh back into the Top 10 of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings at the expense of Spain, while the loss of 1.85 points drops Ireland down to eighth below Italy.

Back in the top 10 📈

The latest Women's World Rankings, powered by @Capgemini, make some very pleasant viewing for @WelshRugbyUnion 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BSgVnlr3VU

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 28, 2022

Wins for England and France in the other two fixtures did not have any impact on the rankings.

The Red Roses stay at number one after kicking off their title defence with a clinical 57-5 win against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Marlie Packer scored a sensational hat-trick as England made it 19 test wins in a row, a run that dates back to July 2019.

England and France both won as expected on the opening weekend but there was a shock result in the second of the three fixtures as Wales came away from Dublin with all five points.

Ireland had won nine of their last 10 games against Wales in the Women’s Six Nations, including a record 45-0 victory when they met in the 2021 Championship, and it looked a tough first assignment on paper for Ioan Cunningham’s charges.

But in their first game since full-time contracts were awarded to a dozen players, Wales showed what they can do given the right preparation, outscoring their hosts five tries to three in a 27-19 victory worth 1.85 rating points.

France’s 39-6 win over Italy in Sunday’s standalone fixture meant Les Bleues kept hold of third place in the rankings.

Updated Rankings

1. England

2. New Zealand

3. France

4. Canada

5. Australia

6. USA

7. Italy

8. Ireland

9. Scotland

10. Wales