Rugby World Cup 2015 hosts England have moved up to third in the latest IRB World Rankings as a result of Argentina’s historic win over Australia at the weekend.
Argentina came from 14-0 down to beat the Wallabies 21-17 in Mendoza and record their first win in 18 Rugby Championship matches. It was also the first time they had tasted victory over Australia since 1997.
The Pumas gain two full ranking points and reclaim their position as one of the top 10 teams in the world. Japan and Fiji fall one place to 11th and 12th respectively.
Australia drop to fourth on 85.07 points – leaving them 0.61 behind England and adding extra spice to the Cook Cup clash between the sides at Twickenham on November 29.
South Africa’s 27-25 win over New Zealand in an epic encounter in Johannesburg moves the Springboks to within 2.19 points of the world’s number one team.
New Zealand conclude their third consecutive title-winning campaign on 92.60 points compared to South Africa’s 90.41.
Lower down the rankings, there were wins for Finland and Bosnia & Herzegovina in the opening round of European Nations Cup 2016 Division 2D.
France-based fly half Armin Vehabovic scored two tries and kicked 24 points as Bosnia & Herzegovina overcame a slow start to beat Bulgaria 59-12 in Zenica. Bosnia & Herzegovina climb three places to 90th with the two sides swapping places.
Scrum half Thomas Finell contributed 17 points through a try, three conversions and two penalties and flanker Robert Hussey bagged a brace as Finland beat Norway 32-10 in Helsinki to get their European Nations Cup campaign off to a winning start. Finland, second from bottom in the rankings before the weekend began, have risen from 101st to 98th while Norway drop two places to 97th.
In the play-off to determine who will join Division 3 of the European Nations Cup, Estonia recorded a 59-12 win against Belarus in a match that did not affect the rankings as neither side is a member of the International Rugby Board.
