Fourth spot in IRB ratings up for grabs?
Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00
France are not only bidding to claim a first Grand Slam in six years by beating England in the last RBS Six Nations 2010 encounter on Saturday, but also to preserve their fourth place in the IRB World Rankings.
Les Bleus have held that mantle as the leading northern hemisphere nation since outclassing defending champions Ireland 33-10 last month, but only victory at the Stade de France can ensure they end the Six Nations in that position.
A first Six Nations win over England on home soil since 2006 will not improve their standing in the rankings, although a victory by more than 15 points would bring to France to within two hundredths of Australia in third.
This would still, though, leave Marc Lièvremont's charges more than six points behind New Zealand, the number one side in the IRB World Rankings and their Pool A opponents at next year's Rugby World Cup.
France could still lift the Six Nations crown with defeat, given they currently have a point differential that is 50 better than Ireland, the only side capable of beating Les Bleus to the premier title in European rugby.
A loss though will see France surrender fourth spot to Ireland, unless their rivals also suffer defeat at the hands of Scotland in the final rugby international to be played at Croke Park before the new Aviva Stadium opens for the November tests.
Ireland cannot improve their rating points of 84.61 with victory - regardless of the winning margin - over Scotland, who currently lie six places and nearly 10 points behind their hosts as they seek a first Six Nations win in 2010.
England may no longer be able to win the title after drawing 15-15 with Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend, but it is not beyond Martin Johnson's side to end the Championship as the leading northern hemisphere nation.
For this to happen, England will have to beat France by more than 15 points, something they have only managed twice - both at Twickenham - since the Championship expanded with Italy's inclusion in 2000, and for Ireland to lose by a similarly large margin.
This would see England jump three places to take over fourth, a position they have not held since late 2008, with France, Ireland and Argentina all falling one place. A narrower loss to Scotland would see England swap places with their conquerors.
A smaller margin of victory for England at the Stade de France would lift them to fourth above a well-beaten Ireland, but as long as England avoid defeat in France they will regain the sixth place they lost to Argentina on the back of that Scotland draw.
With thanks to The International Rugby Board.
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