Ireland drop to sixth in world rankings after successive defeats
Defeats to Wales and England in the final World Cup warm-up games has seen Ireland drop three places to sixth in the latest IRB world rankings.
While the All Blacks are well in front at the top of the pile, there is little to separate Australia in second down to Ireland in sixth. Pool opponents France are in seventh place.
Joe Schmidt's side were recently as high as second position, but a disappointing end to the series of World Cup warm-ups has seen the reigning Six Nations champions fall behind South Africa, England and Wales in the pecking order.
The 21-13 win at Twickenham has helped propel Stuart Lancaster's side up two places to fourth and will enter the World Cup as the highest ranked northern hemisphere side.
IRB World Rankings
1. New Zealand
2. Australia
3. South Africa
4. England
5. Wales
6. Ireland
7. France
8. Argentina
9. Fiji
10. Scotland
Online Editors
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