Austria are the biggest climbers in the latest IRB World Rankings with a five-place rise to 87th after edging Hungary 19-17 in their European Nations Cup Division 3B encounter in Vienna.

The win came too late to safe Austria from relegation to Division 3C next year, but it has lifted them to their highest ever placing since the rankings were introduced in October 2003 and dealt Hungary's title hopes a blow.

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Hungary have dropped six places to 67th as a result of the loss, slipping below Andorra, Switzerland, Senegal, Serbia, Guyana and Niue. They are not the only European side to fall with Denmark sliding three to 67th with defeat to Slovenia.

Slovenia have slightly improved their rating with the 14-12 win in Ljubljana, but remain 71st - albeit now less than a tenth below Denmark. The victory also means that Slovenia will secure Division 3B title if they beat Norway this weekend.

Another nation on the rise are the Arabian Gulf, who climb four places to 40th after beating Korea 21-19 in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations on Saturday in what is their last ever international match.

The International Rugby Board announced plans in January 2009 for an exciting restructuring of the Game in West Asia with the creation of new Unions in the area, meaning the collective Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union will cease to exist.

The victory over Korea, coming two weeks after they upset Hong Kong in Bahrain, means the Arabian Gulf bow out on a high and within a position of their highest ever standing in the IRB World Rankings.

Korea's loss, their third in as many matches in this year's Asian 5 Nations after convincing defeats by Hong Kong and Japan, means they slide another two places to 27th with Belgium and Ukraine the beneficiaries.

Climbers in South America

The weekend's other Asian 5 Nations match saw Japan run in 15 tries to overwhelm Kazakhstan 101-7 in Tokyo, putting them within touching distance of qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011 as Asia 1.

This victory, Japan's 11th bonus point win since the Asian 5 Nations began in 2008, does not have any impact on the IRB World Rankings with the Brave Blossoms ranked 13th, 17 places and 16.54 rating points above Kazakhstan.

Two other nations have enjoyed rankings climbs over the last seven days as a result of back to back victories in the South American Championship currently taking place in the Chilean capital Santiago.

Uruguay have risen one place to 20th, swapping places to Portugal, after overcoming Brazil 26-10 and Paraguay 47-14. Chile have also beaten Paraguay (42-6) and Brazil (31-8) in the last week and have climbed to 22nd, swapping places with Namibia.

Paraguay's two defeats by higher ranked sides have left them unchanged in 38th, although Brazil have slipped two places to 29th with back to back losses. The two rivals meet on Wednesday and will be hoping to pick up a first win then.