Ireland retain fifth spot in world rankings

IRELAND are fifth in the IRB World Rankings but only just after their two defeats in Argentina.

Ireland’s ranking of fourth with 85.31 was some 5.7 points better than their South American hosts going into the series, but two losses have seen Argentina reduce that deficit to a mere 0.11 points between the fifth and sixth ranked teams.

England are another nation to have seen their ranking points suffer – albeit not as significantly as Ireland – as a result of a series whitewash. Two heavy defeats to South Africa mean they drop 0.42 points to 78.93 but remain seventh.