Ireland chase No 4 ranking

All the World Rugby rankings permutations for this weekend's Test matches.

Ireland will rise to fourth spot if they defeat South Africa by 15 or more points in the series-deciding third Test in Port Elizabeth and Australia lose to England in Sydney.

The Springboks could strengthen their position in third spot, but even a victory will not be enough to overhaul England in second place.

There is an opportunity for England to cement second spot with a series clean-sweep over the Wallabies, earning them a 1.5 rankings points increase. Australia stand to gain the same points increase should they avoid a series whitewash. A victory and a Bok loss against Ireland will lift the Wallabies back to third in the rankings.

Wales could move up to fifth at the expense of Argentina, if they upset the All Blacks in Dunedin, which will see them gain two rankings points.

Argentina play France, but Los Pumas will not earn or lose any rankings points regardless of the outcome. France, on the other hand, can claim eighth spot if they beat Argentina and Japan win against Scotland.

World Rugby rankings (Top 20):

1. New Zealand 96.10
2. England 88.50
3. South Africa 86.03
4. Australia 85.43
5. Argentina 82.87
6. Wales 82.49
7. Ireland 81.96
8. Scotland 79.50
9. France 78.09
10. Fiji 77.14
11. Japan 75.89
12. Georgia 73.57
13. Italy 71.57
14. Tonga 70.56
15. Samoa 70.27

Photo: Anne Laing/HSM Images

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