World Ranking Permutations: Ireland have opportunity to make history
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For the second time in the space of a week, there could be a new name at the top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings once they are officially updated on Monday.
Ireland have a golden opportunity to knock Wales off the top of the World Rankings for the first time in history when they play England at Twickenham this weekend.
With Wales and New Zealand both having a rest week, a win for the Irish on Saturday will see them leapfrog those sides above them and move from third place to first. For England, third place is within their reach.
On the same day, Scotland and France will dispute seventh place as Murrayfield prepares to house a capacity crowd for the 15th consecutive international.
Current World Rankings:
Wales have moved above New Zealand, bringing an end to the All Blacks' record 509 consecutive weeks on top of the rankings ⬆️
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 19, 2019
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 WARM-UP MATCHES
ENGLAND (5) v IRELAND (3)
In brief
- This is the 135th meeting between the teams with England currently leading 77-49 with eight draws
- England won 32-20 the last time the sides met in the Six Nations in Dublin
- Ireland won 24-15 on their last visit to Twickenham in the 2018 Six Nations
Rankings predictor
- England will regain fourth place from South Africa if they win
- They need to win by more than 15 points to overtake Ireland and move into third
- An Ireland victory will see them move to the top of the rankings for the first time in history, the second team to do so in as many weeks
SCOTLAND (8) v FRANCE (7)
In brief
- France have 55 wins to Scotland's 36 with three draws since their first meeting in 1910
- Scotland have won their last two fixtures at home to Les Bleus
- France's last victory at Murrayfield came in March 2014 (19-17)
Rankings predictor
- A Scotland win will see the teams trade places for the second week running with Scotland up to seventh and France down to eighth
- A Scotland defeat by more than 15 points would leave them just nine-hundredths of a point ahead of ninth-placed Japan
- France cannot climb any higher than their present position of seventh
Via: World Rugby