Ireland up to 5th on IRB world rankings

March 21, 2006

20 MARCH 2006

Ireland have moved up to fifth place in the latest IRB World Rankings, following their dramatic win over England in the RBS Six Nations.

Shane Horgan's try in the 77th minute at Twickenham earned Ireland the Triple Crown, and also consigned England to sixth in the rankings.

Italy drop one place in the rankings to 12th as a result of Scotland's Six Nations victory over the Azzurri in Rome. France, crowned Six Nations champions this weekend, remain in third, whilst Wales, beaten by the French in Cardiff, stay seventh behind England.

In the European Nations Cup, Romania defeated Portugal 27-3 in Lisbon and move up two places to 13th in the latest IRB World Rankings. Portugal remain in 18th, but are now just 0.21 ratings points ahead of Tonga.

Source: IRB