Top two untouchable

All the IRB world ranking permutations for this weekend's Test matches.

Regardless of the result between Scotland and the All Blacks at Murrayfield, the world champions are certain to celebrate a fifth successive year at the summit of the list come 16 November. With seven places and 15.43 rating points separating the All Blacks from their hosts, another emphatic victory over Scotland will have no impact on New Zealand’s rating of 93.70.

The Springboks, despite falling to Ireland last weekend, have also consolidated their second place in the rankings and the outcome of their match against England will have no influence on that status. However, an English victory of 15 points or more could hamper the Wallabies' chances of staying third, especially if France get one over Michael Cheika's men. 

Ireland, who face Georgia, can leapfrog both England and Australia into third for the first time since 2006, should the latter two lose their respective matches. 

In Cardiff, Wales and Fiji have it all to play for. The hosts will climb back to sixth place with an emphatic win over the Fijians, who could gain entry into the top 10 if they upset the Dragons. 

Eleventh-placed Samoa can drop further down the rankings if they suffer an unlikely defeat against 17th-ranked Canada and Argentina could rise to ninth if they overcome Italy. 

IRB rankings:

1. New Zealand 93.70
2. South Africa 89.02
3. Australia 85.44
4. England 85.12
5. Ireland 84.84
6. France 80.25
7. Wales 79.78
8. Scotland 78.27
9. Japan 75.63
10. Argentina 75.45
11. Samoa 75.11
12. Fiji 74.34
13. Tonga 73.89
14. Italy 72.16
15. Georgia 69.40
Full rankings
How the rankings work

Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

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