Ireland slump to lowest ever IRB ranking position

Ireland have slipped to ninth in the world rugby rankings - their lowest position since the International Rugby Board's rankings were launched in 2003.

Ireland's RBS 6 Nations defeat against Italy in Rome on Saturday meant they finished fifth in the championship, above wooden spoonists France on points difference.

It also meant they dropped two places to ninth on the latest list published by the IRB.

Six Nations champions Wales remain fifth, just 0.36 points behind fourth-placed England, who they crushed 30-3 in Cardiff two days ago.

Elsewhere, Scotland lie 10th, with an unchanged top three of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

IRB World rankings

1(1) New Zealand
2(2) South Africa
3(3) Australia
4(4) England
5(5) Wales
6(6) France
7(8) Samoa
8(9) Argentina
9(7) Ireland
10(10) Scotland