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The potential ranking ramifications of Six Nations 'Super Saturday'
By Kim Ekin
World Rugby have released the potential ramifications of this weekend’s Guinness Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’ fixtures.
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England’s trip to France could prove the decisive match of the tournament, even if England are no longer in the running for the Championship. If they lose, Eddie Jones’ men could potentially finish fifth again, a placing that would see questions once again asked around the sustainability of the Australian’s ongoing tenure as head coach.
The result, of course, will have a knock on effect on the rankings.
Fabien Galthie’s France will equal their highest ever rating of second if they secure the Grand Slam, with victory over England lifting them above New Zealand. Les Bleus last occupied second place for a week after beating New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2007 quarter-finals.
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England will return to fourth if they beat France and Ireland lose at home to Scotland. A draw would also have this affect if Ireland were to lose by more than 15 points to Gregor Townsend’s team. England must win by more than 15 points to also climb above France into third.
Ireland will return to third place if they avoid defeat against Scotland and France lose to England by less than 15 points. This would be Andy Farrell’s side’s highest ranking since September 2019.
Scotland must win by more than 15 points to climb above Australia into sixth. Scotland cannot fall from seventh place even in defeat as Wales cannot improve their rating with victory over Italy due to the 10.95 rating points between the sides before home weighting is factored in.
Wales will drop one place to ninth – falling below Argentina – if they fail to beat Italy. They cannot fall any lower although a loss by more than 15 points would leave them sitting only 0.02 rating points above Japan.
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The Rugby Europe Championship is also continuing to play out, with perennial champs Georgia currently sitting above Six Nations strugglers Italy. The Azzurri will climb above Georgia if they win and the Lelos lose to Spain. But if the Georgians draw, then Italy’s margin of victory must be by more than 15 points to climb to 13th.
If Georgia are victorious than Italy will be unable to improve their position with a win. Georgia will climb above Samoa into 12th place if they beat Spain and clinch a fifth successive Rugby Europe Championship title.
Newly minted Rugby World Cup 2023 combatants Spain will climb to a new high of 14th if they beat Georgia and Italy lose in Cardiff. Los Leones will be the highest-ranked nation in the Rugby Europe Championship if they beat Georgia by more than 15 points, lifting them above the Lelos into 13th.
If that were to happen, it would be the first time since November 2013 that Georgia have not been the highest-ranked team in the competition.
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Romania will climb back above USA into 17th with victory over the Netherlands. The Oaks will fall two places to 20th if beaten by the Netherlands with a one-place fall if they are held to a draw by the lower ranked Dutch.
