Top of the world, for the second time since the ratings began. For the past three decades, the World Rugby [formerly International Rugby Board] rankings have tallied the best runs for the best sides on the planet. The latest Ireland rankings boost will be confirmed on Monday. Ireland defeated New Zealand 32-22 in Wellington to […]

3 years ago

Ireland could go to Japan as the World No.1 if they beat the Grand Slam champions in Dublin next weekend. World Rugby will argue that the current rugby rankings system rewards teams for long-term consistency but how about giving out less points for winning what are essentially warm-up knock-abouts. On Wednesday, Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray […]

7 years ago

The USA head coach and captain were the latest to lavish praise upon Ireland. US Eagles captain Blaine Scully declared, on Saturday, that Ireland are ‘the best team in the world’. Head coach Gary Gold said this was the best Irish team he had ever seen, and it was hard to argue. Ireland had retained […]

7 years ago

These are heady days. We used to never beat New Zealand. Now we have done it twice in our last three games and have Steve Hansen handing over the ‘best in the world’ mantle. The All Blacks head coach will fly out of Dublin, to Rome, today aware that the rankings still have his men […]

7 years ago

What a comeback. South Africa looked odds on to defeat New Zealand for the second game on the spin but they will still finish second in The Rugby Championship table. Rassie Erasmus has worked wonders with the Springboks since he took the helm ahead of the June Tests against England. South Africa won that series, […]

8 years ago

Another milestone surpassed. Just a fortnight ago, Australia were breathing down Ireland’s necks for second in the World Rugby rankings. Having defeated Ireland in the opening game of their three-Test series, the Wallabies were on the brink of leapfrogging Joe Schmidt’s men. The real threat to the All Blacks, claimed Gregor Paul in the New Zealand […]

8 years ago