RUGBY: Despite Ireland being the only unbeaten side in this year's Six Nations Championship, Declan Kidney's charges remain sixth in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings issued today.
Ireland recorded a hard-fought 14-13 win over Martin Johnson’s physical England side at Croke Park last weekend. With previous wins against France and Italy, Ireland are on course for a first Grand Slam in 61 years.
Kidney’s side take on Scotland in Murrayfield in the next round of matches before a potential championship decider against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on the final weekend.
Johnson’s mood will not have improved after it was confirmed England dropped to their lowest-ever position in the standings.
England began the RBS 6 Nations in sixth position but successive away defeats to Wales and Ireland have seen them slump to eighth.
World Cup winner Johnson has overseen just two wins - against the Pacific Islands and Italy - in seven Tests since taking charge and was furious with his side’s undisciplined performance at Croke Park.
France leapfrogged England into seventh place following their 21-16 victory over Wales last Friday night - a result which saw Warren Gatland’s men slip one place to fifth.
The top order is unchanged with New Zealand leading the way, followed by their Southern Hemisphere counterparts, South Africa and Australia. Argentina swapped places with Wales and are now fourth.
IRB World Rankings:
1(1) New Zealand
2(2) South Africa
3(3) Australia
4(5) Argentina
5(4) Wales
6(6) Ireland
7(8) France
8(7) England
9(9) Scotland
10(10) Fiji
