All we need now is to turn Australia over and have a decent Six Nations.
Next Spring, World Rugby will confirm the seedings for the 2019 World Cup. Ridiculously early, you may protest, and you would be 100% correct.
However, if Ireland are sitting in the top four of the world rankings few from this isle would argue.
The autumn internationals have thrown up some note-worthy results, Ireland defeating the All Blacks in Chicago and, on Saturday, Italy turning over South Africa.
Those two results have had a massive impact on the rankings. The Springboks will now drop to 5th when the updated World Rugby list is released on Monday. Italy’s 20-18 victory cost South Africa a whopping 1.93 ranking points.
Ireland’s 21-9 loss to New Zealand cost Joe Schmidt’s men 0.21 ranking points but they have now overtaken South Africa and sit in 4th place.
The top three is unchanged – New Zealand well clear at the top, followed by England and Australia.
A home win over the Aussies would put Ireland within touching distance of third. The World Cup seedings will be announced after the 2017 Six Nations and Ireland have yet to be a top seed entering the tournament.
PROJECTED RANKINGS
New Zealand 94.78 (+0.21)
2 England 89.84
3 Australia 88.14 (+0.62)
4 (5). Ireland 83.46 (-0.21)
5 (4). South Africa 82.57 (-1.93)
6. Wales 81.77 (+0.05)
7 (9). Scotland 80.57 (+0.79)
8 (7). France 80.13 (-0.62)
9. Argentina 79.91 (-0.79)
10. Fiji 75.49
*More at IRB Ranking Calculator
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