Six Nations Shake-Up: World Rankings Reflect a Tournament of Upsets
The 2026 Six Nations concluded with a dramatic finish, as France secured the title with a last-second penalty against England. Beyond the on-field excitement, the tournament has triggered a significant reshuffling of the World Rugby rankings, reflecting the changing fortunes of the competing nations.
England’s Decline and Ireland’s Ascent
England, who began the Six Nations ranked third globally, have experienced a substantial fall, dropping to sixth place. Their ranking points decreased by five-and-a-half, falling from 89.41 to 83.91. This decline underscores a challenging tournament for Steve Borthwick’s side, who managed only one victory throughout the campaign.
Conversely, Ireland have risen to grow the highest-ranked team in the Northern Hemisphere, now sitting in third place worldwide, just 1.26 ranking points behind New Zealand. Their performance throughout the tournament, including a 43-21 victory over Scotland, has been rewarded with a ranking increase of 0.18 points.
France Solidifies Position, Scotland Soars
Despite retaining their Six Nations title, France moved up one place to fourth in the world rankings, gaining 0.43 ranking points. Their dramatic 48-46 victory over England proved pivotal in securing both the championship and their improved ranking.
Scotland have been the biggest climbers, rising two places to seventh. Victories over England and France significantly boosted their ranking, despite a final-matchday loss to Ireland. They’ve narrowed the gap to England to just 1.01 points.
Italy and Wales Show Promise, Portugal on the Rise
Italy and Wales maintained their positions at tenth and eleventh respectively, though Wales climbed from 12th to 11th on the final weekend with a win over Italy. Portugal’s recent success in the Rugby Europe Championship has seen them climb two places to fourteenth, overtaking the United States and Uruguay.
Latest World Rugby Rankings (March 16)
- South Africa – 93.94
- New Zealand – 90.33
- Ireland – 89.07 (+0.18)
- France – 87.46 (+0.43)
- Argentina – 84.97
- England – 83.91 (-0.43)
- Scotland – 82.90 (-0.18)
- Australia – 81.53
- Fiji – 81.14
- Italy – 79.64 (-1.45)
- Wales – 75.07 (+1.45) – UP 1
- Japan – 74.09 – DOWN 1
- Georgia – 71.94 (-1.54)
- Portugal – 69.64 (+1.54) – UP 2
- Uruguay – 69.19 – DOWN 1
- USA – 68.26 – DOWN 1
- Spain – 67.51 (+0.02)
- Chile – 66.72
- Tonga – 66.66
- Samoa – 66.43
FAQ
Q: What caused England’s drop in the world rankings?
A: England’s poor performance in the 2026 Six Nations, winning only one match, led to a decrease in their ranking points and a subsequent drop to sixth place.
Q: Which team made the biggest jump in the rankings?
A: Scotland experienced the most significant rise, climbing two places to seventh in the world rankings.
Q: How are World Rugby rankings calculated?
A: World Rugby rankings are based on the results of international matches, with points awarded based on the outcome and the ranking of the opponent.
