# World Rugby Rankings > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/World_Rugby_Rankings > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/World_Rugby_Rankings.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Rankings > Source revision: 1356025418 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Ranking system for national teams in rugby union This article is about the rugby union rankings. For the rugby league rankings, see [IRL World Rankings](/source/IRL_World_Rankings_(disambiguation)). This article is about the men's rankings. For the women's rankings, see [World Rugby Women's World Rankings](/source/World_Rugby_Women's_World_Rankings). Men's World Rugby Rankings v t e Top 30 as of 4 May 2026[1] Rank Change[i] Team Points 1 South Africa 093.94 2 New Zealand 090.33 3 Ireland 089.07 4 France 087.46 5 Argentina 084.97 6 England 083.91 7 Scotland 082.90 8 Australia 081.53 9 Fiji 081.14 10 Italy 079.64 11 Wales 075.07 12 Japan 074.09 13 Georgia 071.97 14 Portugal 069.64 15 Uruguay 069.19 16 United States 068.26 17 Spain 067.51 18 Chile 066.72 19 Tonga 066.66 20 Samoa 066.43 21 Belgium 061.03 22 Romania 060.67 23 Hong Kong 059.61 24 Zimbabwe 058.80 25 Canada 058.75 26 Namibia 056.96 27 Netherlands 056.44 28 Switzerland 055.47 29 Czech Republic 054.78 30 Poland 054.54 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Change from the previous week *Source: [World Rugby](/source/World_Rugby)[1] Graph updated to 16 February 2026* The **World Rugby Rankings** is a [ranking](/source/Ranking) system for national teams in [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union), managed by [World Rugby](/source/World_Rugby), the sport's governing body. The teams of World Rugby's member nations are ranked based on their game results, with the most successful teams being ranked highest. A point system is used, with points being awarded on the basis of the results of World Rugby-recognized international matches. Rankings are based on the team's performance, with more recent results and more significant matches being more heavily weighted to help reflect the current competitive state of a team. The men's ranking system was introduced the month before the [2003 Rugby World Cup](/source/2003_Rugby_World_Cup), with the first new rankings issued on 8 September 2003, when they were called the "IRB Rankings".[2] ## Rankings ### Rank leaders **World Rugby Ranking Leaders** When the system was introduced [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) were the top team and maintained that position following victory in the [2003 Rugby World Cup](/source/2003_Rugby_World_Cup). [New Zealand](/source/All_Blacks) took the lead from 14 June 2004. After winning the [2007 Rugby World Cup](/source/2007_Rugby_World_Cup) final, [South Africa](/source/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team) became the third team to achieve first place. The first two fixtures of the [2008 Tri Nations](/source/2008_Tri_Nations_Series) resulted in the top two teams switching places: the All Blacks regained the top spot after defeating South Africa in the Tri-Nations opener on 5 July 2008 [in Wellington](/source/Westpac_Stadium); a week later the Springboks returned the favour [in Dunedin](/source/Carisbrook), scoring their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 1998, reclaiming the top spot, only for the All Blacks to defeat both [Australia](/source/Australia_national_rugby_union_team) and South Africa in August 2008 to regain the top spot by a considerable margin. South Africa regained the lead in July 2009 after beating New Zealand in [Bloemfontein](/source/Free_State_Stadium) and kept the lead until losing to [France](/source/France_national_rugby_union_team) in November of that year, allowing the All Blacks to regain the top spot. A change at the top would not occur for a record period of 508 weeks (from 16 November 2009 to 19 August 2019), when [Wales](/source/Wales_national_rugby_union_team) became the top ranked team for the first time after defeating England at [Cardiff](/source/Millennium_Stadium) in a [World Cup 2019 warm-up test](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_warm-up_matches) in August, following on a streak in which they won 15 of 16 tests, including a [Six Nations Grand Slam](/source/2019_Six_Nations_Championship). Two weeks later New Zealand returned to the top of the summit following [Ireland's](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team) victory over Wales in [Cardiff](/source/Millennium_Stadium) in a [World Cup 2019 warm-up test](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_warm-up_matches). However, on 7 September 2019, Ireland defeated Wales again, this time in [Dublin](/source/Aviva_Stadium), and they were installed as the number 1 team for the first time in their history, which they held entering the [2019 Rugby World Cup](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup). The first round of matches in the 2019 Rugby World Cup saw a further change at the top, with New Zealand's pool stage victory over the Springboks seeing them regain the top spot. England's defeat of New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals saw them return to the top spot for the first time since 2004. A week later, South Africa reclaimed top spot after defeating England in the final. 2021 saw the ranking lead change several times with South Africa and New Zealand each holding the top spot at various points. In 2022, France replaced South Africa on top of the rankings following their victory over [Japan](/source/Japan_national_rugby_union_team) in their [summer tour](/source/2022_France_rugby_union_tour_of_Japan) and the Springboks' home defeat by a [touring Wales team](/source/2022_Wales_rugby_union_tour_of_South_Africa). A week later, Ireland claimed top spot following victory in their [summer tour](/source/2022_Ireland_rugby_union_tour_of_New_Zealand) to New Zealand. Ireland would hold the top spot until October 2023, when they lost to New Zealand in the quarter-final stage of the [2023 Rugby World Cup](/source/2023_Rugby_World_Cup) – with South Africa replacing them. However, following their away defeat to [Argentina](/source/Argentina_national_rugby_union_team) in the [2024 Rugby Championship](/source/2024_Rugby_Championship), South Africa relinquished top spot to Ireland. The *Springboks* regained the no. 1 position after Ireland's home defeat to New Zealand during the [2024 Autumn Nations Series](/source/2024_end-of-year_rugby_union_internationals#8/9/10_November). Since the rankings began, the winners of every edition of the World Cup have held the number 1 spot at the end of the tournament. New Zealand have been the most consistently ranked #1 team since the introduction of the world rankings in 2003, having held the #1 ranking for most of the time during this period. South Africa is second, with Ireland, England, Wales and France making up the remainder. To date, 2019 is the only calendar year in which more than three nations have held the number 1 spot – with five nations holding that title at some point during the year. #### Best and worst ranking positions Below is a list of the best and worst ranking positions for nations that have appeared in the [Rugby World Cup](/source/Rugby_World_Cup): Team Best Worst Rank Year(s) Rank Year(s) Argentina 3 2007–08 12 2014 Australia 2 2003, 2004–05, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011–12, 2015–16 10 2023, 2024 Canada 11 2011 25 2025, 2025–26 Chile 17 2025, 2025–26 30 2016–17, 2019 England 1 2003, 2003–04, 2019 8 2009, 2015–16, 2023 Fiji 7 2023 16 2011, 2012 France 1 2022 10 2018, 2019 Georgia 11 2016, 2019, 2023, 2025 23 2004 Ireland 1 2019, 2022, 2022–23, 2024 9 2013 Italy 8 2007, 2024 15 2015, 2017, 2018, 2018–19, 2021 Ivory Coast 38 2003, 2005, 2006, 2021 69 2026 Japan 7 2019 20 2003, 2006 Namibia 18 2017 29 2006 New Zealand 1 2003, 2004–07, 2008, 2009, 2009–19, 2019, 2021, 2025 5 2022 Portugal 13 2023, 2023–24 30 2015, 2016 Romania 13 2003, 2006 22 2025, 2025–26, 2026 Russia 16 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 34 2025 Samoa 7 2013 20 2026 Scotland 5 2017, 2017–18, 2018, 2023 12 2012, 2013, 2015 Spain 14 2025 32 2004–05 South Africa 1 2007–08, 2008, 2009, 2019, 2019–21, 2021, 2021–22, 2023, 2023–24, 2024, 2024–25, 2025, 2025–26 7 2017, 2018 Tonga 9 2011 20 2005, 2006 United States 12 2018, 2018–19 20 2008, 2022 Uruguay 14 2005, 2025, 2025–26 23 2012, 2017 Wales 1 2019 14 2025 Zimbabwe 24 2025, 2025–26 57 2007, 2008 #### Rating leaders According to [World Rugby](/source/World_Rugby) the "top side in the World will normally have a rating above 90",[3] . [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team) retained the number 1 position in August 2019 following defeat by [Australia](/source/Australia_national_rugby_union_team) at [Perth](/source/Perth_Stadium) in [the Rugby Championship](/source/2019_Rugby_Championship), despite their ratings falling to 89.04. A week later, [Wales](/source/Wales_national_rugby_union_team) increased their rating to 89.43 and claimed the top spot by beating [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) at [Cardiff](/source/Millennium_Stadium) in a [World Cup 2019](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup) [warm-up test](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_warm-up_matches). In contrast, some countries that have reached a rating of over 90 rating points, such as Australia (91.75) and [Ireland](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team) (91.17), did not achieve the top spot, although Ireland would eventually reach the top of the summit with a rating of 89.47 following their victory over Wales in a [World Cup 2019 warm-up test](/source/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_warm-up_matches) in [Dublin](/source/Aviva_Stadium), while Australia still to date have never attained the number 1 ranked position. This is due to the success of New Zealand who had been rated above 90 rating points for a record of 509 weeks and 6 days (from 2 November 2009 to 11 August 2019), which ended following the aforementioned defeat to Australia. New Zealand also holds the record for the highest rating points amassed by any team, which currently stands at 96.57. England first held the record at 93.99 on the 24 November 2003, following their [World Cup](/source/2003_Rugby_World_Cup) win in Australia; however, New Zealand surpassed this on 28 August 2006 with a rating of 94.62, following their [Tri Nations](/source/2006_Tri_Nations_Series) victory over [South Africa](/source/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team) in [Pretoria](/source/Loftus_Versfeld_Stadium). The All Blacks would go on to push this record further over the years, reaching 95.01 points on the 25 June 2007 after beating South Africa in [Durban](/source/Kings_Park_Stadium), 96.10 points after their [2015 World Cup](/source/2015_Rugby_World_Cup) win in England and 96.30 points on 22 August 2016, following their [Rugby Championship](/source/2016_Rugby_Championship) victory over Australia in [Sydney](/source/Stadium_Australia), to its current record of 96.57, which they attained on 10 October 2016 after defeating South Africa in [Durban](/source/Kings_Park_Stadium). New Zealand's defeat by Ireland at [Soldier Field, Chicago](/source/Soldier_Field) as part of the [Autumn International Test Series](/source/2016_end-of-year_rugby_union_internationals) in November 2016 ended their record streak. #### Most and least accumulated ratings Below is a list of the most and least accumulated rating points for each of the nations that have appeared in the [Rugby World Cup](/source/Rugby_World_Cup) since the ranking tables were first published on the 13 October 2003: Team Most Least Rating Points Date Achieved Rating Points Date Achieved Argentina 87.45 22 October 2007 73.97 23 June 2014 Australia 91.75 26 October 2015 76.50 25 September 2023 Canada 73.74 19 September 2011 57.75 21 July 2025 Chile 66.72 29 September 2025 53.65 6 February 2017 England 93.99 24 November 2003 77.79 17 September 2007 Fiji 81.16 2 October 2023 68.78 26 September 2011 France 90.59 11 September 2023 77.02 4 February 2019 Georgia 76.23 20 March 2023 60.00 23 February 2004 Ireland 93.79 25 September 2023 77.25 16 June 2008 Italy 81.09 9 March 2026 69.98 13 October 2003 Ivory Coast 50.47 15 June 2009 39.06 21 July 2025 Japan 82.09 14 October 2019 61.42 3 November 2003 Namibia 62.78 18 July 2016 54.71 11 September 2006 New Zealand 96.57 10 October 2016 85.78 29 August 2022 Portugal 72.78 9 October 2023 54.29 21 March 2016 Romania 70.71 20 November 2017 60.67 16 March 2026 Russia 67.16 22 June 2008 52.06 6 January 2025 Samoa 80.50 17 June 2013 66.43 24 November 2025 Scotland 84.43 26 February 2018 72.91 14 November 2005 South Africa 94.86 8 July 2024 80.63 20 October 2003 Spain 69.35 3 February 2020 53.43 29 March 2004 Tonga 76.80 27 May 2013 62.04 25 July 2005 United States 73.66 19 November 2018 63.11 23 June 2008 Uruguay 69.19 24 November 2025 59.37 12 November 2012 Wales 89.96 18 March 2019 72.65 7 July 2025 Zimbabwe 58.80 21 July 2025 44.45 9 July 2007 ## List of rankings leader ### Men's Six teams have led the world rankings at one point, of which two had a single short stay at that position - [Wales](/source/Wales_national_rugby_union_team) for two weeks in 2019, and [France](/source/France_national_rugby_union_team) for a single week in 2022. Otherwise the top step on the rankings has been divided between four teams. [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team) have by far the longest total weeks and longest individual reign, with 743 weeks, the equivalent of nearly 14 years, at the top, the longest period of which was a near ten-year period between November 2009 and September 2019, finally ended by Ireland's first short reign of two weeks. They have also led the table on eight occasions, most recently in October 2021. [South Africa](/source/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team) have topped the rankings on six occasions for a combined total of 244 weeks as the highest ranked side in the world including 186 weeks since the end of 2019. In that later period their closest challenger has been [Ireland](/source/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team), who only topped the rankings for the first time, briefly, in September 2019, but had racked up 70 weeks as world number one in three batches since that date, and were current world number one leading into the 2024 Autumn internationals. [England](/source/England_national_rugby_union_team) have been ranking leader three times, for 40 weeks in total, the bulk of that being in two stretches across 39 of the first 40 weeks of the rankings between September 2003 and June 2004. The fifteen-year gap between topping the rankings in June 2004 and October 2019 remains the longest gap between reigns (not counting the single appearances of Wales and France). New Zealand twice (June 2004 to October 2007 and November 2009 to August 2019), South Africa (November 2019 to September 2021) and Ireland (July 2022 to October 2023) are the only sides to spend a year or more (effectively an entire season) continuously on top of the men's world rankings. Team Start date End date Weeks Total Weeks England 8 September 2003 10 November 2003 9 9 New Zealand 10 November 2003 17 November 2003 1 1 England (2) 17 November 2003 14 June 2004 30 39 New Zealand (2) 14 June 2004 22 October 2007 175 176 South Africa 22 October 2007 7 July 2008 37 37 New Zealand (3) 7 July 2008 14 July 2008 1 177 South Africa (2) 14 July 2008 18 August 2008 5 42 New Zealand (4) 18 August 2008 27 July 2009 49 226 South Africa (3) 27 July 2009 16 November 2009 16 58 New Zealand (5) 16 November 2009 19 August 2019 509 735 Wales 19 August 2019 2 September 2019 2 2 New Zealand (6) 2 September 2019 9 September 2019 1 736 Ireland 9 September 2019 23 September 2019 2 2 New Zealand (7) 23 September 2019 28 October 2019 5 741 England (3) 28 October 2019 4 November 2019 1 40 South Africa (4) 4 November 2019 20 September 2021 98 156 New Zealand (8) 20 September 2021 4 October 2021 2 743 South Africa (5) 4 October 2021 11 July 2022 40 196 France 11 July 2022 18 July 2022 1 1 Ireland (2) 18 July 2022 16 October 2023 65 67 South Africa (6) 16 October 2023 23 September 2024 49 245 Ireland (3) 23 September 2024 11 November 2024 7 74 South Africa (7) 11 November 2024 18 August 2025 40 285 New Zealand (9) 18 August 2025 15 September 2025 4 747 South Africa (8) 15 September 2025 Present 36 321 **Summary** Team Total Weeks Most consecutive weeks Separate reigns New Zealand 747 509 9 South Africa 321 98 8 Ireland 74 65 3 England 40 30 3 Wales 2 2 1 France 1 1 1 ### Current calculation method All World Rugby member countries have been given a rating that is in the range of 0 to 100 with the top side achieving a rating of about 90 points. The point system is calculated using a 'Points Exchange' system, in which sides receive points from each other on the basis of the match result – whatever one side gains, the other loses. The exchanges are based on the match result, the ranking of each team, and the margin of victory, with an allowance for home advantage. As the system aims to depict current team strengths, past successes or losses will fade and be superseded by more recent results. Thus, it is thought that it will produce an accurate picture depicting the actual current strength and thus rank of the nations.[4] The rankings are responsive to results and it is possible to climb from the bottom to the top (and vice versa) in fewer than 20 matches. As all matches are worth a net of 0 points for the two teams combined, there is no particular advantage to playing more matches. A rating stays the same until the team plays again. Although matches often result in points exchanges, 'predictable' results lead to very minor changes, and may result in no change to either side's rating. #### Rules The system ensures that it is representative of the teams' performance despite playing differing numbers of matches each year, and the differing strength of opposition that teams have to face. The factors taken into account are as follows: - Match result - Match status - Opposition strength - Home advantage #### Match result For each match played points exchanges are awarded for the following five outcomes and was developed using results of international matches from 1871 to the present day: - a win or loss by more than 15 points - a win or loss by up to 15 points - a draw #### Match status Different matches have different importance to teams, and World Rugby has tried to reflect this by using a weighting system, where the most significant matches are in the [Rugby World Cup](/source/Rugby_World_Cup) Finals. Points exchanges are doubled during the [World Cup](/source/Rugby_World_Cup) Finals to recognise the unique importance of this event. All other full international matches are treated the same, to be as fair as possible to countries playing a different mix of friendly and competitive matches. Matches that do not have full international status do not count. #### Opposition strength A win against a very highly ranked opponent is a considerably greater achievement than a win against a low-rated opponent, so the strength of the opposing team is a factor. Thus match results are more important than margins of victory in producing accurate rankings. This is because when a highly ranked team plays a lowly ranked team and manages to beat them by over 50 points, it does not necessarily indicate how either team will perform in the future. #### Home advantage When calculating points exchanges, the home side is handicapped by treating them as though they are three rating points better than their current rating. This results in the home side gaining fewer points for winning and losing more points for losing. Because of this, ideally, any advantage that a side may have by playing in front of their home crowd is cancelled out. #### How to calculate the Points Exchange [1] Take the pre-match Points Ranking Score of Team Y. If Y has home advantage, add 3 to its pre-match Points Ranking Score. This is the “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” for Team Y. Call it “A”. [2] Take the pre-match Points Ranking Score of Team Z. If Z has home advantage, add 3 to its pre-match Points Ranking Score. This is the “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” for Team Z. Call it “B”. [3] Calculate the Difference between the two “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Scores”. Call it “D”. [4] Apply the formula from the relevant item in this list: *World Cup Matches* ... Team Y wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.3 capped at 6 ... Team Y wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.2 capped at 4 ... The match is a draw [**see note 9] ............... D x 0.2 capped at 2 ... Team Z wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.2 capped at 4 ... Team Z wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.3 capped at 6 *Other International* ... Team Y wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.15 capped at 3 ... Team Y wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+B-A) x 0.1 capped at 2 ... The match is a draw [**see note 9] ............... D x 0.1 capped at 1 ... Team Z wins by 15 or fewer points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.1 capped at 2 ... Team Z wins by 16 or more points ............... (10+A-B) x 0.15 capped at 3 [5] The team with the higher “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Favourite”. [6] The team with the lower “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Underdog”. [7] A team whose “Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” is 10+ points lower than their opponents’ "Modified pre-match Points Ranking Score” may be termed the “Outsider”. [8] An "Underdog" stands to gain more from a victory than does a "Favourite". [9] In the case of a draw, the points are transferred from the “Favourite” to the “Underdog” or “Outsider”. The transfer is capped at 1 (2 in a World Cup Match). [10] There is no transfer of points if a “Favourite” beats an “Outsider”. #### New and dormant nations All new member nations start with 30.00 points, which is provisional until they have completed ten [test matches](/source/Rugby_union#Major_international_competitions). When countries merge, the new country inherits the higher rating of the two countries but when they split e.g., the 2010 breakup of the [Arabian Gulf rugby union team](/source/Arabian_Gulf_rugby_union_team) into separate teams representing its current member countries, the new countries will inherit a rating at a fixed level below the rating of the original country. Before 1 December 2012 new member nations were given 40.00 points. Countries that have not played a [test](/source/Rugby_union#Major_international_competitions) for a number of years are removed from the ranking system and the list. If they become active again, they resume their previous rating. ***For a full explanation of how rankings are calculated, see the [World Rugby rankings website](https://www.world.rugby/rankings/explanation). ## See also - [World Rugby Women's World Rankings](/source/World_Rugby_Women's_World_Rankings) - [International rugby union team records](/source/International_rugby_union_team_records) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-runion_rankings_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-runion_rankings_1-1) ["Men's World Rankings"](https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru). *world.rugby*. Retrieved 10 May 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["England top IRB rankings, Ireland third"](http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2003/0910/breaking64.html). *[Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*. 2003-09-09. Retrieved 2008-11-23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "[Rankings Explanation](https://www.world.rugby/rankings/explanation)". World Rugby. Retrieved 22 August 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Rankings Explanation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071005062318/http://www.irb.com/rankings/explain/index.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.irb.com/rankings/explain/index.html) on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-16. ## External links - [Official World Rankings](https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru) v t e International rugby union competitions World Rugby Africa Asia Europe North America South America Oceania Worldwide Men World Cup Nations Championship Nations Cup SVNS Project 7s U20 World Championship Women World Cup WXV SVNS Project 7s Multi-sport events Olympic Games (7s) Asian Games Commonwealth Games (7s) Mediterranean Games Pacific Games (7s) Pan American Games World Games Intercontinental Americas Pacific Challenge Pacific Nations Cup Pacific Rugby Challenge The Rugby Championship Pacific Four Series Arab Rugby Sevens Men's Arab Rugby Sevens Women's The Rugby Championship U20 Continental Africa Rugby Africa Cup Rugby Africa Women's Cup Africa Men's Sevens Africa Women's Sevens U20 Barthés Trophy Asia Asia Rugby Championship Asian Sevens Series Asia Rugby Women's Championship Asia Rugby Women's Sevens Series U19 Championship Europe Six Nations Europe International Women's Six Nations Europe Women's Europe Sevens Europe Women's Sevens U21 Women's Six Nations Series U20 Six Nations U20 Championship U18 Championship U18 Sevens U18 Women's Sevens Oceania Oceania Men's Championship Oceania Women's Championship Oceania Sevens Oceania Women's Sevens U20 Championship North America RAN Championship Americas Rugby Championship Americas Rugby Challenge RAN Women's Championship RAN Sevens RAN Women's Sevens South America South American Championship Americas Rugby Trophy Sudamérica Sevens Sudamérica Women's Sevens U20 Championship Defunct U20 Trophy Olympic Games (15s) Pacific Games (15s) World Games (7s) Churchill Cup Crescent Cup Nations Cup (2006–2019) Pacific Rim Championship Pan American Serendib International Cup Super Cup Tbilisi Cup U-19 World Championship U-21 World Championship Women's Nations Cup IRB Women's Sevens Challenge Cup World Cup Sevens Rugby X South Pacific Championship Super 10 ARFU Asian Rugby Series Women's international rugby World Rugby Rankings World Rugby Awards v t e International men's rugby union teams Tier 1 teams Argentina Australia England France Ireland Italy Japan New Zealand Scotland South Africa Wales Emerging teams with Rugby World Cup participation Canada Chile Fiji Georgia Hong Kong Ivory Coast Namibia Portugal Romania Samoa Spain Tonga United States Uruguay Zimbabwe Other Emerging teams (World Rugby members) Algeria American Samoa Andorra Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belgium Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Cayman Islands China Chinese Taipei Colombia Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Eswatini Finland Germany Ghana Guam Guatemala Guyana Hungary India Indonesia Iran Israel Jamaica Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritius Mexico Moldova Monaco Mongolia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Nigeria Niue Norway Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Qatar Rwanda Senegal Serbia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Korea Sri Lanka St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Sweden Switzerland Tanzania Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Zambia Teams not affiliated to World Rugby Rugby Africa Benin Chad Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Egypt Libya Niger Seychelles Asia Rugby Bangladesh Cambodia Macau Rugby Europe Belarus Estonia Iceland Kosovo Liechtenstein Montenegro San Marino Rugby Americas North Curaçao Dominican Republic Guadeloupe Martinique Turks and Caicos Islands Oceania Rugby French Polynesia (Tahiti) Nauru New Caledonia Wallis and Futuna Sudamerica Rugby Ecuador El Salvador Combination teams African Leopards British & Irish Lions Pacific Islanders South American XV Teams with affiliation suspended or without affiliation Armenia Bahrain Basque Country Catalonia Gibraltar Greece Mauritania Russia Teams affiliated to the FFR Mayotte Réunion Defunct teams Arabian Gulf Commonwealth of Independent States Czechoslovakia East Africa East Germany Nyasaland (Malawi) Serbia and Montenegro Soviet Union West Germany Yugoslavia v t e Sports world rankings Archery Athletics Badminton (junior) Baseball & softball Basketball men women Boxing men women Canoe slalom Chess Cricket Test ODI T20I WODI & WT20I Curling Cycling (road) men women Darts PDC Figure skating Floorball Football men unofficial elo women Beach Golf men women amateur Field hockey men women Ice hockey Korfball Mixed martial arts UFC Muay Thai Netball Pool men women Roller hockey Rugby league men women wheelchair Rugby union men women Snooker Squash men women Table tennis Tennis men women team Volleyball Beach Water polo --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [World Rugby Rankings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Rankings) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rugby_Rankings?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.