Ukraine have kept alive their hopes of qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2011 with a 27-16 defeat of Lithuania in their European play-off on Saturday, ending their opponent's record run of consecutive Test victories at 18 in the process.

The visitors crossed for three tries at the Savivaldbye Stadium in Siauliai, one of them by scrum half Sergii Ianchyi in his 17-point haul in the match with centre Oleg Kosariev having earlier scored the opening try in the 14th minute.

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Ukraine took a 20-3 lead into half time and within 10 minutes of the restart had increased that thanks to hooker Mykola Rirsanov and despite a late consolation score by Geiminas Marcisauska the RWC 2011 dream ended for Lithuania.

A home and away play-off with Romania now awaits Ukraine for the right to enter the cross-continental play-off to determine the 20th and final qualifier for RWC 2011. Romania or Ukraine will first face Tunisia before a winner takes all encounter with either Uruguay or an Asian side.

Ukraine's victory - allied with Kazakhstan's 19-15 loss to Hong Kong in their HSBC Asian 5 Nations encounter - means they climb two places to 28th in the latest IRB World Rankings. Lithuania's first loss since 6 May 2006 results in a three place slide to 39th.

Four place gains

Hong Kong are another side on the rise again after their crucial win over Kazakhstan in the race to secure second in the Asian 5 Nations and a play-off with Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying process.

The victory lifts Hong Kong four places to 34th and continues their yo-yo effect in the IRB World Rankings, having jumped six positions following a 32-8 upset victory over Korea only to then lose almost all of that gain after a surprise loss the Arabian Gulf on 30 April.

Kazakhstan's loss, which still leaves them in contention to pip Hong Kong to second spot, has seen them fall three places to 30th with Brazil taking over their previous position ahead of a week which sees them in action as the South American Championship kicks off in Chile.

The other Asian 5 Nations encounter over the weekend saw Japan pick up a 10th consecutive bonus point victory in the Top 5 with a 60-5 defeat of the Arabian Gulf at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.

However, this victory by a youthful Brave Blossoms outfit has no impact on the IRB World Rankings with Japan sitting 31 places and 21.55 rating points above the Arabian Gulf, who they had overwhelmed 114-6 two years ago.

Andorra share the mantle as this week's biggest climbers with Hong Kong after climbing four places to 62nd - their highest position since November 2008 - on the back of a 10-0 defeat of Switzerland in their European Nations Cup Division 3A encounter.

The victory means that Andorra are now the highest ranked of the two sides with Switzerland's loss in Andorra La Vella resulting in a six-placedrop to 63rd, their lowest standing since the IRB World Rankings were introduced in October 2003.