RUGBY/World rankings: Ireland's group in next year's World Cup is becoming increasingly more difficult when measured by the latest IRB world rankings.
Following Argentina's 18-25 win last weekend in Twickenham against England, the Pumas have risen to sixth place on the world ladder, their highest position ever.
That means Ireland's World Cup group consists of the second-highest ranked team in the world, France, the sixth-highest ranked, Argentina and Ireland, who remain in fifth place despite the win over the fourth-placed Springboks on Saturday.
Andy Robinson's defeat in London also caused England to drop down a place to seventh in the world, their lowest ranking ever.
New Zealand extend their lead at the top of the rankings to over seven ratings points after their stunning away win over France. Despite the defeat, France remain in second.
The Wallabies, who Ireland face in Lansdowne Road on Sunday, have reclaimed third place from South Africa after they edged past Italy. While Ireland remain in fifth, they are now less than two points adrift of South Africa in fourth.
The large rating points gap and home advantage mean that Scotland's defeat of Romania at Murrayfield does not affect either side's ranking.
Further down the rankings, Ireland's first opponents at next year's World Cup Namibia move up three places in the rankings to 23rd.
France captain Fabien Pelous has been ruled out of Saturday's second Test against New Zealand with a rib injury. Clermont Auvergne second-row forward Loic Jacquet, a former France Under-21 captain, is drafted into the squad.
1. New Zealand 94.06 pts
2. France 86.39
3. Australia 85.50
4. South Africa 85.24
5. IRELAND 83.81
6. Argentina 79.01
7. England 78.14
8. Scotland 77.72
9. Wales 77.02
10. Samoa 73.86
11. Fiji 73.15
12. Italy 72.89
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