Latest World Rankings: Italy close in on the Top 10, Australia and Scotland fall

Latest World Rankings: Italy close in on the Top 10, Australia and Scotland fall

Italy's historic first-ever win over Australia has seen them move into 11th place in the World Rankings. 

The Azzuri moved up ahead of Fiji to record their highest ranking since 18 November 2013 and they are now within just one-and-a-quarter points adrift of Japan in tenth place.

The Italians had failed to beat Australia in their previous 18 encounters but two tries from Ange Capuozzo, who has been nominated for the World Rugby Men's Breakthrough Player of the Year, helped them to a nail-biting 28-27 win.

Wallabies debutant Ben Donaldson pushed what would have been the match-winning conversion wide in the final play of the match which not only handed Australia their first defeat at the hands of the Italians but also means they drop to eighth – one off their all-time low.

Wales' victory over Argentina paired with Australia's loss saw Wayne Pivac's side move two places up the rankings while Scotland also fall one place to ninth after throwing away a 23-14 lead to lose 31-23 to the All Blacks.


New Zealand weren't able to improve their rating enough to move ahead of France or Ireland in the rankings with Les Bleus retaining second place, New Zealand third, and South Africa fourth.

The win over Fiji meant that Andy Farrell's Ireland remain on 90.63 points and at the summit of the rankings. 


Elsewhere, Samoa's 20-19 away win against Georgia saw them climb to 12th place, the hosts slipping from 13th to 14th, their lowest ranking since January 2020.

Those results and Fiji's loss to Ireland saw the Pacific Islanders drop two places to 13th.

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