World rugby ranking

Fourteen months before they host the World Cup, France reached the pinnacle of the rankings for the first time on the back of successive wins on their tour of Japan.

Les Bleus returned home after Saturday's 20-15 victory over the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo, however, so their stay at the top will be brief as the other top teams all play in series deciders next weekend.

World champions South Africa will be confident of beating Wales in the third test in Cape Town to seal their series after a weakened side lost 13-12 at Free State Stadium on Saturday.

Romania may move one place ahead of Tonga.

The rankings, last updated on November 15 on the World Rugby website states Tonga is ranked at 15 with 68.57 points while Romania is ranked 16 on 67.06 points.

The Tonga Rugby side ended their Northern Hemisphere tour with no wins.

The team also lost against Scotland 60-14, England 69-3, and the French Barbarians 42-17.

This year, the ‘Ikale Tahi has had just one win against the Cook Islands, 54-10 in the Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualifier.

Ireland will head to the world cup in Japan as the world's top ranked side after a 19-10 win over Wales.

The elevation was irrelevant however, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said.

"I didn't realise that we were until I did an interview after the game, that's how far away from our thoughts it has been. It's a label, it's a nice label to get but that label is not going to be relevant for anyone," he said.

"We all know who the favourites are for the rugby World Cup and it's not us."

RNZI reports Eddie Jones' team's 39-28 victory over an ill-disciplined Australian side has them 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

And their first-ever win in Brisbane means the Springboks slip to fourth in the rankings, after the home loss to Ireland.

The 26-20 win at Newlands - despite playing an hour of the game down to 14 men - was the Irish team's first-ever triumph in South Africa.

Fiji leapfrog Japan up to No.10 after both teams won on the weekend.