Ireland narrow gap on South Africa in world rankings

Ireland's remain fifth in the latest IRB world rankings, but have narrowed the gap on fourth-placed South Africa.

The entire top five is unchanged, with New Zealand, France and Australia still occupying the top three berths.

However, England are back up to sixth after their Six Nations win over France yesterday, with Argentina dropping back to seventh.

Italy, meanwhile, have now leapfrogged Wales into eighth place after beating the 2005 Grand Slam winners on Saturday.