England enter RWC as top side in Zurich World Rankings

England will go into the 2003 Rugby World Cup as the No.1 side in the Zurich World Rankings narrowly ahead of the Tri-Nations' champions, and some people's RWC favourites, New Zealand.

Brothers in arms: Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood

Despite England's loss to France a fortnight ago, their comfortable win over France at Twickenham and their win over Wales has seen them consolidate their position at the top which they have held since the November internationals of 2002.

Meanwhile, despite a large gain from their southern hemisphere clean sweep New Zealand have to settle for second place although both they and England are someway clear of the likes of Australia and France in third and fourth place respectively.

England boss Clive Woodward said Monday: "We accept that we are up there, probably alongside the All Blacks, but being favourites is nothing - it's about winning.

"Our job as coaches is clear. It's to give this group of players every chance to do something special, and the real hard work starts now. It is about giving your players every chance to become the best side in the world, and it's now up to all of us to try and capitalise on it.

"We are looking forward to the whole experience. We've got an outstanding group of players, and in terms of the selection, I am as convinced as I've ever been that we've got it right."

As in 1999, the 2003 Rugby World Cup sees the top 20 teams in the the Zurich World Rankings compete for rugby's greatest prize.

Four years ago it was New Zealand who went into the RWC as the No.1 side with eventual winners Australia in second-place, South Africa in third, England in fourth whilst France were in fifth.

Zurich World Rankings (as of Sept 6, 2003)

1 England 1298
2 New Zealand 1278
3 Australia 1108
4 France 1103
5 South Africa 1006
6 Ireland 929
7 Argentina 858
8 Scotland 756
9 Wales 699
10 Samoa 675
11 Canada 569
12 Fiji 561
13 Italy 549
14 Tonga 527
15 Japan 457
16 United States 445
17 Georgia 363
18 Romania 357
19 Namibia 303
20 Uruguay 295

21 Portugal 292
22 Russia 276
23 Morocco 258
24 Tunisia 254
25 Chile 251
26= Cote d'Ivoire 237
26= Czech Republic 237
28 Spain 234
29 Korea 228
30 Germany 225
31 Ukraine 224
32 Poland 219
33 Netherlands 218
34 Cook Islands 216
35 Denmark 211
36 Croatia 210
37 Slovenia 207
38 Switzerland 204
39 Brazil 198
40 Latvia 197

41= Zimbabwe 196
41= Sweden 196
43 Belgium 193
44 Papua New Guinea 193
45 Chinese Taipei 190
46 Hong Kong 188
47 Paraguay 171
48 Madagascar 173
49 Kenya 164
50 Arabian Gulf 163
51 Yugoslavia 150
52 Trinidad and Tobago 147
53 Hungary 140
54 Austria 135
55 Bermuda 132
56 Andorra 131
57 Malaysia 126
58 Thailand 125
59 Moldova 121
60 China 119

61 Singapore 112
62 Uganda 106
63 Lithuania 98
64= Zambia 93
64= Kazakhstan 93
66 Sri Lanka 91
67 Botswana 88
68 Venezuela 87
69= Cameroon 79
69= Cayman Islands 79
71 Israel 77
72 Niue Island 76
73 Bosnia 70
74 Tahiti 68
75 Malta 66
76 Bulgaria 58
77 Luxembourg 57
78 Jamaica 48
79= Solomon Islands 37
79= Peru 37
81 Monaco 36
82 Swaziland 34
83 Barbados 29
84= Mexico 26
84= Norway 26
86= Bahamas 24
86= Guyana 24
88 Vanuatu 23
89 Colombia 20