Ireland rise to 3rd in IRB World Rankings

Ireland are up to third in the IRB World Rankings after their comprehensive 21-6 win over Australia at Lansdowne Road yesterday.

It is the highest ranking the team has been accorded since October 2003.

The rise is a result of the two back-to-back victories over Southern Hemisphere giants - they beat South Africa the previous weekend.

The Irish have now leap-frogged both those nations after the Springboks lost again at Twickenham on Saturday.

New Zealand have stretched their lead to eight rating points after their win over second-placed France.

Ireland are marginally ahead of Fourth-placed Australia, followed by South Africa, and Argentina.

England remain seventh, with Scotland eighth, Wales ninth, and Samoa tenth.