Fiji leapfrog England as huge World Rugby rankings movements confirmed

To add insult to injury, the Flying Fijians have leap-frogged England in the World Rugby rankings following their boilover Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture in Twickenham over the weekend.

England have sunk to eight in the rankings, equalling their lowest-ever placing, as Fiji jumped to seventh following their shock 30-22 win over Steve Borthwick’s strugglers.

In fact, there was a queue to jump England, with Argentina also moving above the men in white into sixth, following their 62-3 win over Spain in Madrid, although that result had no effect on the standings.

The All Blacks have also fallen down the table, finding themselves in fourth following their 35-7 battering by South Africa over the weekend in London. The Boks have jumped into second from third on the back of the win, which has buoyed their hopes of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup in two months’ time.

France have also moved beyond the All Blacks following their 41-17 skittling of Eddie Jones’ Wallabies at the Stade de France.

The Wallabies fall to ninth, one place behind England and just ahead of Warren Gatland’s Wales, who stay where they are in tenth. Scotland also remain where they are in fifth, despite their 33-6 victory over Georgia in Murrayfield.

Ireland are still sitting pretty at No.1, despite a narrow 17-13 victory over Samoa in Bayonne. Things are very tight at the top, however, with the top four teams separated by less than 3 World Rugby rankings points.

It will all to play for in rankings terms at the Rugby World Cup, with teams earning double points for games at the flagship tournament.