Latest IRB World Ranking positions

There was no change at the top of the IRB World Rankings following the weekend's Test matches, but a tasty carrot has been dangled in front of the England team ahead of Saturday's clash with Australia.

If the world champs beat the Wallabies and France beat New Zealand this weekend, Andy Robinson's side will regain the number one position for the first time since June 7, 2004.

Argentina gain the maximum two ratings points as a reward for the famous 24-14 victory over France in Marseille, and are now more than two points ahead of Wales who are lying eighth.

South Africa lost ratings points following their defeat to England at Twickenham, and are in danger of being overhauled by Ireland who now trail the Boks by just 1.9 points.

There is now a gap of 2.16 points between the top three and the rest, although Wales came within a whisker of knocking  the All Blacks of the top of the standings in Cardiff on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Georgia enjoyed a 27-15 away win over Russia in the European Nations Cup Division One match to move into the top 20 of the IRB World Rankings for the first time since November 2003.

In the other European Nations Cup match played on Saturday, Portugal moved up to 17th following their 36-13 away win over Ukraine in the sides' first-ever meeting.

IRB World Rankings (November 20):

1 (1 last week): New Zealand - 89.66 points
2 (2): England - 87.97
3 (3): Australia - 87.20
4 (4): France - 84.94
5 (5): South Africa - 84.12
6 (6): Ireland - 82.22
7 (7): Argentina - 79.05
8 (8): Wales - 76.91
9 (9): Scotland - 75.27
10 (10): Fiji - 74.17
11 (11): Italy - 72.35
12 (12): Samoa - 70.13
13 (13): Romania - 68.61
14 (14): Canada - 68.12
15 (15): Uruguay - 66.92
16 (16): USA - 66.60
17 (18): Portugal - 65.77
18 (17): Japan - 65.00
19 (19): Tonga - 62.72
20 (22): Georgia - 61.08
21 (20): Korea - 60.25
22 (21): Morocco - 59.94
23 (24): Namibia - 59.38
24 (25): Chile - 58.79
25 (23): 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 (36): Brazil - 51.55
36 (35): 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 (43): Denmark - 48.31
43 (44): Singapore - 47.98
44 (45): Madagascar - 47.57
45 (46): Sweden - 47.42
46 (47): Zimbabwe - 47.36
47 (42): Venezuela - 47.33
48 (49): Kazakhstan - 46.86
49 (48): Kenya - 46.67
50 (50): Belgium - 46.55