Staff Reporter.
France have leapfrogged the All Blacks into second place on the World Rugby rankings following their Six Nations Grand Slam success on the weekend.
The French clinched their first Six Nations title since 2010 when they beat England 25-13 at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, a victory that ensured Les Bleus went through this year’s edition of the tournament undefeated.
As a result of that win, France have climbed to their equal-highest all-time World Rugby ranking of second place, the first time that have risen that far up the rankings since October 2007.
In doing so, Fabien Galthie’s side have overtaken the All Blacks, who now sit in their equal-lowest all-time World Rugby ranking of third place after having lost their two most recents tests to Ireland and France last November, by 0.13 points.
It is the third time New Zealand has fallen to third place on the World Rugby rankings since their World Cup semi-final defeat to England in 2019.
Ireland’s runner-up Six Nations finish, which they concluded with a 26-5 win over Scotland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin over the weekend, also leaves Andy Farrell’s men just 0.53 points shy of the Kiwis in fourth place.
That adds an extra layer to what already promises to be a blockbuster three-test series when the Irish travel to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks in July.
Victory over Ian Foster’s side would see Ireland condemn the All Blacks to their lowest-ever World Rugby ranking of fourth place.
France, meanwhile, remain 1.73 points behind the world’s top-ranked side and reigning world champions, the Springboks.
World Rugby rankings (1-20)
1. South Africa (N/C) – 90.61
2. France (+1) – 88.88
3. New Zealand (-1) – 88.75
4. Ireland (N/C) – 88.22
5. England (N/C) – 84.50
6. Australia (N/C) – 83.92
7. Scotland (N/C) – 81.80
8. Argentina (+1) – 80.58
9. Wales (-1) – 79.28
10. Japan (N/C) – 78.26.