Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Canada are up and Uruguay down in World Rankings. The official rankings are to be updated by World Rugby at midday GMT on Monday. They are to show a number of changes following the completion of international competition this weekend in Europe.
As a result of Spain winning away to Germany, Los Leones are to rise from 21st to 18th in the world. This sees Spain overtaking Namibia, Russia and Uruguay. All three fall one spot. In the case of Uruguay it sees Los Teros dropping from 20th to 21st in the world.
The result sees Germany falling two places to now be ranked 24th. Canada and Kenya are the benefactors, each gaining one spot. With it Canada have risen from 23rd to 22nd in the world. Further changes could come from today’s match between Georgia and Russia.
Results in the Six Nations have also seen changes in rankings. None, however, benefit Argentina who remain 9th in the world. The position means the South Americans are set to be drawn in a Pool of Death for Rugby World Cup 2019.
England’s 61-21 hammering of Scotland sees no change to either side. This is based on two factors. Firstly England’s ranking of 91.02 is far higher than Scotland’s 82.18 and secondly England had home advantage.
Scotland are thus safe in 5th spot heading into the final round of the Six Nations. The same is true of Ireland who fell badly against Wales on Friday. The inept Irish performance sees them falling from 84.18 to 83.18 points. Wales gains as a result, rising to 82.16 and going above South Africa.
In the event that France defeat Wales next weekend then they are to rise further. France’s win over Italy yesterday sees them remaining in 8th but having made a gain of 0.64 points. Italy, in contract, have dropped below Samoa to 15th in the world.
Any win by France over Wales would see France rising from 8th to at least 6th. Should Scotland not win against Italy then Les Bleus would be back in the Top 5. The only possibility for Argentina to rise is for Wales to defeat France by 15 or more points.
The final world rankings as of Monday March 20 will determine the seedings for Japan 2019. 1st-4th will be Band A, 5th-8th Band C and the remaining four automatic qualifiers from England 2019 will be Band C. As it stands Argentina’s best hope is arguably to be pooled with Ireland and Scotland. On the flip side the South Americans could face both New Zealand and South Africa in pool play.
