France close in on All Blacks while Springboks remain top of world rankings
France's Gael Fickou attempts to break through the Scotland defence during the Six Nations match.
The latest World Rugby rankings have been announced after the Six Nations weekend and France have closed the gap on fourth-placed New Zealand after their narrow win.
Les Bleus overcame Scotland 20-16 at Murrayfield on Saturday and gained 1.12 points following a dramatic victory, which moves them to within 2.41 points of the All Blacks.
A heartbroken Scotland lost an equal amount of points in the home loss but did keep hold of sixth place, with Argentina still 2.65 points behind them in seventh position.
England stay fifth
England, who are ranked in fifth place, picked up 0.08 points from their equally tense 16-14 home win over Wales, to leave them further in arrears of France than previously.
Warren Gatland’s side’s narrow Twickenham loss means they stay in eighth place, still comfortably ahead of Australia, who are now coached by New Zealander Joe Schmidt.
Elsewhere in the Six Nations, Ireland’s 36-0 win over Italy saw no points awarded to the reigning champions, due to the 16.53 points and nine positions between the two teams.
It was a similar situation in the Rugby Europe Championship Round Two action as no shocks came to fruition in the four games, meaning no change to rankings positions.
Georgia didn’t receive any points for their 31-10 win over the Netherlands. Likewise Portugal and Spain after respective 54-7 and 27-5 wins over of Poland and Germany.
However, Romania did enjoy a marginal gain for beating team-of-the-moment Belgium.
The Oaks’ 33-18 win over the Black Devils, who beat Portugal the previous week, was worth 0.02 points but, again, that was not enough for them to improve on 20th place.
🇫🇷 France were in full voice at Murrayfield yesterday. #SCOvFRA pic.twitter.com/2XKa1Ej2s9
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 11, 2024
World Rugby rankings
1) South Africa 94.54
2) Ireland 92.11
3) New Zealand 89.80
4) France 87.39
5) England 85.89
6) Scotland 83.33
7) Argentina 80.68
8) Wales 79.54
9) Australia 77.48
10) Fiji 76.38
11) Italy 75.58
12) Japan 74.27
13) Georgia 72.68
14) Samoa 72.23
15) Tonga 71.57
16) Portugal 70.78
17) USA 67.94
18) Uruguay 67.39
19) Spain 63.46
20) Romania 63.42