Wallabies leapfrog England in rankings

It's all change at top of the IRB World Ranking. Australia's victory over England at Twickenham catapults them over the heads of the world champions and into second place, whilst South Africa's win against Scotland - and France's loss to New Zealand - sees the Boks leapfrog Les Bleus into fourth.

New Zealand's clinical display in Paris ended any dispute about their right to sit on top of the pile, and there they will remain until the RBS Six Nations - at the very least.

The All Blacks have opened up clear water between themselves and England (4.31 points) and are still 2.32 points ahead of the Wallabies.

Ireland's gripping 21-19 home win over Argentina sees them consolidate sixth position, and now sit almost four points clear of their vanquished opponents - the Pumas.

Meanwhile, the big mover in the lower reaches of the rankings is Botswana who move from 87nd to 82nd on the back of two important wins in the space of a week - 37-0 over Nigeria and 12-6 over Mali in the Confederation of African Rugby's triangular Super 16 Castle Beer Trophy played in Bamako, Mali.

Nigeria hang their heads in shame after losing both their games (Mali are not even IRB members!) and drop from 74th to 81st.

IRB World Ranking (top 50) - November 29, 2005

1 (1 last week): New Zealand - 90.90 points
2 (3): Australia - 88.58
3 (2): England - 86.59
4 (5): South Africa - 84.74
5 (4): France - 83.70
6 (6): Ireland - 82.61
7 (7): Argentina - 78.67
8 (8): Wales - 76.91
9 (9): Scotland - 74.65
10 (10): Fiji - 74.17
11 (11): Italy - 72.54
12 (12): Samoa - 70.13
13 (13): Romania - 68.61
14 (14): Canada - 68.12
15 (15): Uruguay - 66.92
16 (16): USA - 66.42
17 (17): Portugal - 65.77
18 (18): Japan - 65.00
19 (19): Tonga - 62.72
20 (20): Georgia - 61.08
21 (21): Korea - 60.25
22 (22): Morocco - 59.94
23 (23): Namibia - 59.38
24 (24): Chile - 58.79
25 (25): Russia - 58.19
26 (26): Ukraine - 57.66
27 (27): Czech Republic - 56.83
28 (28): Hong Kong - 55.50
29 (29): Germany - 55.16
30 (30): Tunisia - 54.09
31 (31): Netherlands - 53.49
32 (32): Spain - 53.43
33 (33): Paraguay - 53.18
34 (34): Poland - 52.70
35 (35): Brazil - 51.55
36 (36): Chinese Taipei - 50.93
37 (37): Croatia - 50.29
38 (38): Moldova - 49.21
39 (39): Switzerland - 49.08
40 (40): Cote d'Ivorie - 48.87
41 (41): China - 48.82
42 (42): Denmark - 48.31
43 (43): Singapore - 47.98
44 (44): Madagascar - 47.57
45 (45): Sweden - 47.42
46 (46): Zimbabwe - 47.36
47 (47): Venezuela - 47.33
48 (48): Kazakhstan - 46.86
49 (49): Kenya - 46.67
50 (50): Belgium - 46.55