World Rugby Rankings

The World Rugby Rankings (formerly the IRB Rankings) is a ranking system for men's national teams in rugby union, managed by World Rugby, the sport's governing body. The teams of World Rugby's member nations are ranked based on their game results, with the most successful teams being ranked highest. A point system is used, with points being awarded on the basis of the results of World Rugby-recognized international matches. Rankings are based on the team's performance, with more recent results and more significant matches being more heavily weighted to help reflect the current competitive state of a team. The ranking system was introduced the month before the 2003 Rugby World Cup, with the first new rankings issued on 8 September 2003.[2] World Rugby now also publishes rankings for women's teams.

Men's World Rugby Rankings
Top 30 rankings as of 13 January 2021[1]
Rank	Change*	Team	Points
1		South Africa	094.20
2		England	089.49
3		New Zealand	088.95
4		France	085.30
5		Ireland	084.65
6		Australia	083.08
7		Scotland	080.82
8		Argentina	080.31
9		Wales	079.36
10		Japan	079.29
11		Fiji	076.87
12		Georgia	072.18
13		Tonga	071.44
14		Italy	070.88
15		Samoa	070.72
16		United States	068.10
17		Spain	067.51
18		Uruguay	067.02
19		Romania	065.33
20		Portugal	062.12
21		Russia	061.96
22		Hong Kong	061.23
23		Canada	061.11
24		Namibia	061.04
25		Netherlands	060.09
26		Brazil	058.19
27		Belgium	057.17
28		Switzerland	054.12
29		Chile	053.81
30		Germany	053.13
*Change from the previous week

Rank leaders

World Rugby Ranking Leaders

When the system was introduced England were the top team and maintained that position following victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand took the lead from 14 June 2004.

After winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, South Africa became the third team to achieve first place. The first two fixtures of the 2008 Tri Nations resulted in the top two teams switching places: the All Blacks regained the top spot after defeating South Africa in the Tri-Nations opener on 5 July 2008 in Wellington; a week later the Springboks returned the favour in Dunedin, scoring their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 1998, reclaiming the top spot, only for the All Blacks to defeat both Australia and South Africa in August 2008 to regain the top spot by a considerable margin. South Africa regained the lead in July 2009 after beating New Zealand in Bloemfontein and kept the lead until losing to France in November of that year, allowing the All Blacks to regain the top spot.

A change at the top would not occur for a record period of 508 weeks (from 16 November 2009 to 19 August 2019), when Wales became the top ranked team for the first time after defeating England at Cardiff in a World Cup 2019 warm-up test in August, following on a streak in which they won 15 of 16 tests, including a Six Nations Grand Slam. Two weeks later New Zealand returned to the top of the summit following Ireland's victory over Wales in Cardiff in a World Cup 2019 warm-up test. However, on 7 September 2019, Ireland defeated Wales again, this time in Dublin, and they were installed as the number 1 team for the first time in their history, which they held entering the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The first round of matches in the 2019 Rugby World Cup saw a further change at the top, with New Zealand's pool stage victory over the Springboks seeing them regain the top spot. England's defeat of New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals saw them return to the top spot for the first time since 2004. A week later, South Africa reclaimed top spot after defeating England in the final.

Since the rankings began, the winners of every edition of the World Cup have held the number 1 spot at the end of the tournament.

New Zealand have been the most consistently ranked #1 team since the introduction of IRB World Rankings, having held the #1 ranking for more than 85 percent of the time during this period. South Africa, England, Wales and Ireland make up the remainder.

To date, 2019 is the only calendar year in which more than two nations have held the number 1 spot - with five nations holding that title at some point during the year.

Best and worst ranking positions

Below is a list of the best and worst ranking positions for nations that have appeared in the Rugby World Cup:

Team	Best		Worst
	Rank	Year(s)	Rank	Year(s)
Argentina	3	2007–08	12	2014
Australia	2	2003, 2004–05, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011–12, 2015–16	7	2018, 2020
Canada	11	2011	24	2017
England	1	2003, 2003–04, 2019	8	2009, 2015–16
Fiji	8	2018, 2018–19	16	2011, 2012
France	2	2006, 2007	10	2018, 2019
Georgia	11	2016, 2019	23	2004
Ireland	1	2019	9	2013
Italy	8	2007	15	2015, 2017, 2018, 2018–19
Ivory Coast	38	2003, 2005, 2006	55	2017
Japan	7	2019	20	2003, 2006
Namibia	18	2017	29	2006
New Zealand	1	2003, 2004–07, 2008, 2009, 2009–19, 2019	3	2003, 2019, 2020–21
Portugal	16	2005	30	2015, 2016
Romania	13	2003, 2006	20	2019
Russia	16	2007, 2008, 2009, 2012	26	2005
Samoa	7	2013	17	2018, 2019
Scotland	5	2017, 2017–18, 2018	12	2012, 2013, 2015
Spain	16	2019, 2019–20	32	2004–05
South Africa	1	2007–08, 2009, 2019, 2019–21	7	2017, 2018
Tonga	9	2011	20	2005, 2006
United States	12	2018, 2018–19	20	2008
Uruguay	14	2005	23	2012, 2017
Wales	1	2019	10	2007, 2013
Zimbabwe	25	2015	57	2007, 2008

Rating leaders

According to World Rugby the "top side in the World will normally have a rating above 90",[3] however, this is not always the case. New Zealand retained the number 1 position in August 2019 following defeat by Australia at Perth in the Rugby Championship, despite their ratings falling to 89.04. A week later, Wales increased their rating to 89.43 and claimed the top spot by beating England at Cardiff in a World Cup 2019 warm-up test. In contrast, some countries that have reached a rating of over 90 rating points, such as Australia (91.75) and Ireland (91.17), did not achieve the top spot, although Ireland would eventually reach the top of the summit with a rating of 89.47 following their victory over Wales in a World Cup 2019 warm-up test in Dublin, while Australia still to date have never attained the number 1 ranked position. This is due to the success of New Zealand who had been rated above 90 rating points for a record of 509 weeks and 6 days (from 2 November 2009 to 11 August 2019), which ended following the aforementioned defeat to Australia.

New Zealand also holds the record for the highest rating points amassed by any team, which currently stands at 96.57. England first held the record at 93.99 on the 24 November 2003, following their World Cup win in Australia; however, New Zealand surpassed this on 28 August 2006 with a rating of 94.62, following their Tri Nations victory over South Africa in Pretoria. The All Blacks would go on to push this record further over the years, reaching 95.01 points on the 25 June 2007 after beating South Africa in Durban, 96.10 points after their 2015 World Cup win in England and 96.30 points on 22 August 2016, following their Rugby Championship victory over Australia in Sydney, to its current record of 96.57, which they attained on 10 October 2016 after defeating South Africa in Durban. New Zealand's defeat by Ireland at Soldier Field, Chicago as part of the Autumn International Test Series in November 2016 ended their record streak.

Most and least accumulated ratings

Below is a list of the most and least accumulated rating points for each of the nations that have appeared in the Rugby World Cup since the ranking tables were first published on the 13 October 2003:

Team	Most		Least
	Rating Points	Date Achieved	Rating Points	Date Achieved
Argentina	87.45	22 October 2007	73.97	23 June 2014
Australia	91.75	26 October 2015	81.68	22 July 2018
Canada	73.74	19 September 2011	59.21	19 June 2017
England	93.99	24 November 2003	77.79	17 September 2007
Fiji	79.48	17 July 2017	68.78	26 September 2011
France	88.34	8 October 2007	77.02	4 February 2019
Georgia	75.23	27 June 2016	60.00	23 February 2004
Ireland	91.17	19 November 2018	77.25	16 June 2008
Italy	77.82	4 February 2013	69.98	13 October 2003
Ivory Coast	50.47	15 June 2009	45.21	6 July 2015
Japan	82.08	14 October 2019	61.42	3 November 2003
Namibia	62.78	18 July 2016	54.71	11 September 2006
New Zealand	96.57	10 October 2016	88.17	17 November 2003 & 16 November 2020
Portugal	66.60	14 November 2005	54.29	21 March 2016
Romania	70.91	20 November 2017	62.12	26 November 2012
Russia	67.16	22 June 2008	56.97	6 June 2005
Samoa	80.50	17 June 2013	67.39	19 November 2018
Scotland	84.43	26 February 2018	72.91	14 November 2005
South Africa	94.20	4 November 2019	80.63	20 October 2003
Spain	69.35	3 February 2020	53.43	29 March 2004
Tonga	76.80	27 May 2013	62.04	25 July 2005
United States	73.66	19 November 2018	63.11	23 June 2008
Uruguay	69.09	4 March 2019	59.37	12 November 2012
Wales	89.96	18 March 2019	74.17	1 October 2007
Zimbabwe	56.44	15 June 2015	44.45	9 July 2007

Current calculation method

All World Rugby member countries have been given a rating that is in the range of 0 to 100 with the top side achieving a rating of about 90 points. The point system is calculated using a 'Points Exchange' system, in which sides receive points from each other on the basis of the match result – whatever one side gains, the other loses. The exchanges are based on the match result, the ranking of each team, and the margin of victory, with an allowance for home advantage. As the system aims to depict current team strengths, past successes or losses will fade and be superseded by more recent results. Thus, it is thought that it will produce an accurate picture depicting the actual current strength and thus rank of the nations.[4] The rankings are responsive to results and it is possible to climb to the top from the bottom (and vice versa) in fewer than 20 matches. As all matches are worth a net of 0 points for the two teams combined, there is no particular advantage to playing more matches. A rating stays the same until the team plays again. Although matches often result in points exchanges, 'predictable' results lead to very minor changes, and may result in no change to either side's rating.

Rules

The system ensures that it is representative of the teams' performance despite playing differing numbers of matches each year, and the differing strength of opposition that teams have to face. The factors taken into account are as follows:

• Match result
• Match status
• Opposition strength
• Home advantage

Match result

For each match played points exchanges are awarded for the following five outcomes and was developed using results of international matches from 1871 to the present day:

• a win or loss by more than 15 points
• a win or loss by up to 15 points
• a draw

Match status

Different matches have different importance to teams, and World Rugby has tried to reflect this by using a weighting system, where the most significant matches are in the Rugby World Cup Finals. Points exchanges are doubled during the World Cup Finals to recognise the unique importance of this event. All other full international matches are treated the same, to be as fair as possible to countries playing a different mix of friendly and competitive matches. Matches that do not have full international status do not count.

Opposition strength

A win against a very highly ranked opponent is a considerably greater achievement than a win against a low-rated opponent, so the strength of the opposing team is a factor. Thus match results are more important than margins of victory in producing accurate rankings. This is because when a highly ranked team plays a lowly ranked team and manages to beat them by over 50 points, it does not necessarily indicate how either team will perform in the future.

Home advantage

When calculating points exchanges, the home side is handicapped by treating them as though they are three rating points better than their current rating. This results in the home side gaining fewer points for winning and losing more points for losing. Because of this, ideally, any advantage that a side may have by playing in front of their home crowd is cancelled out.

How to calculate the Points Exchange

[1] Take the pre-match Points Ranking Score of Team Y. If Y has home advantage, add 3 to its pre-match Points Ranking Score. This is the “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” for Team Y. Call it “A”.

[2] Take the pre-match Points Ranking Score of Team Z. If Z has home advantage, add 3 to its pre-match Points Ranking Score. This is the “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” for Team Z. Call it “B”.

[3] Calculate the Difference between the two “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Scores”. Call it “D”.

[4] Apply the formula from the relevant item in this list:

World Cup Matches

... Team Y wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.3 capped at 6

... Team Y wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.2 capped at 4

... The match is a draw [**see note 9] ............... D x 0.2 capped at 2

... Team Z wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.2 capped at 4

... Team Z wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.3 capped at 6

Other International

... Team Y wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.15 capped at 3

... Team Y wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.1 capped at 2

... The match is a draw [**see note 9] ............... D x 0.1 capped at 1

... Team Z wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.1 capped at 2

... Team Z wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.15 capped at 3

[5] The team with the higher “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Favourite”.

[6] The team with the lower “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Underdog”.

[7] A team whose “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” is 10+ points lower than their opponents’ "Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Outsider”.

[8] An "Underdog" stands to gain more from a victory than does a "Favourite".

[9] In the case of a draw, the points are transferred from the “Favourite” to the “Underdog” or “Outsider”. The transfer is capped at 1 (2 in a World Cup Match).

[10] There is no transfer of points if a “Favourite” beats an “Outsider”.

New and dormant nations

All new member nations start with 30.00 points, which is provisional until they have completed ten test matches. When countries merge, the new country inherits the higher rating of the two countries but when they split e.g., the 2010 breakup of the Arabian Gulf rugby union team into separate teams representing its current member countries, the new countries will inherit a rating at a fixed level below the rating of the original country.

Before 1 December 2012 new member nations were given 40.00 points.

Countries that have not played a test for two years are removed from the ranking system and the list. If they become active again, they resume their previous rating.

***For a full explanation of how rankings are calculated, see the World Rugby rankings website.

Women's rankings

Women's World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 30 December 2020[5]
Rank	Change*	Team	Points
1		England	094.30
2		New Zealand	093.88
3		Canada	087.49
4		France	084.32
5		Australia	078.68
6		United States	078.19
7		Italy	077.91
8		Ireland	074.68
9		Wales	073.33
10		Spain	072.54
11		Scotland	070.67
12		Japan	065.80
13		South Africa	063.39
14		Russia	061.10
15		Kazakhstan	060.45
16		Samoa	059.72
17		Netherlands	058.27
18	1	Hong Kong	057.89
19	1	Sweden	057.73
20	1	Germany	057.72
*Change from the previous week

World Rugby now also publishes rankings for women's teams.[6]

Footnotes

Notes and references

1. "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
2. "England top IRB rankings, Ireland third". Times. 2003-09-09. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
3. "Rankings Explanation". World Rugby. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
4. "Rankings Explanation". Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
5. "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
6. "Women's Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 7 September 2019.

External links

• Official World Rankings
• Official World Rankings for Women's Teams