Ireland up to third in world rankings

Ireland have moved up two places to third in the world rankings after Sunday's 24-9 victory over France in the Rugby World Cup Pool D showdown.

Joe Schmidt’s side have leapfrogged Wales (4) and South Africa (5) in the rankings. France dropped one place to seventh following Sunday’s defeat at the Millennium Stadium, swapping places with Ireland’s quarter-final opponents Argentina, who rose to sixth.

Seven of the eight RWC 2015 quarter-finalists feature in the top eight of the rankings; the exception being Scotland, who remain one place below England in ninth position.

Other changes from last week’s rankings include Japan overtaking Fiji to go 10th and Italy climbing one place to 12th, above Tonga.