The Six Nations tournament has shaken up the World Rugby rankings, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike! But did the latest results truly reflect the teams' performances?
The first round of the 2026 Six Nations has caused a stir in the rugby world. England's dominant victory over Wales didn't budge the rankings, but the real drama unfolded elsewhere. Fabien Galthie's France delivered a statement win against Ireland, which saw Les Bleus climb to fourth, pushing the Irish down to fifth.
But here's where it gets interesting: Italy's impressive performance against Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico caused a significant shift in the rankings. The Azzurri's 18-15 win earned them a rise to ninth, while Scotland dropped to 10th. This result has sparked discussions about the future of Gregor Townsend's coaching strategies.
Other notable movements: Spain's win over the Netherlands didn't change their ranking, but they gained some rating points. Wales and Japan remain in 11th and 12th, respectively, despite Wales' heavy loss to England. Georgia's win over Switzerland went unrewarded in the rankings.
Controversial Takeaway: Some argue that the rankings don't always reflect a team's true potential, especially after a single round of matches. Is it fair to see such drastic changes after one weekend of rugby? Should we expect more surprises as the tournament progresses?
Here's the updated World Rugby rankings as of 07/02/2026:
- South Africa - 93.94
- New Zealand - 90.33
- England - 89.41
- France - 88.40 (+1.16)
- Ireland - 86.81 (-1.16)
- Argentina - 84.97
- Australia - 81.53
- Fiji - 81.14
- Italy - 79.81 (+0.82)
- Scotland - 79.40 (-0.82)
- Wales - 74.23
- Japan - 74.09 ...
What do you think about the new rankings? Are there any teams you believe are underrated or overrated? Share your thoughts and predictions for the upcoming matches!
