Sweden are celebrating winning the Rugby Europe Conference 1 North title – and a four-place rise in the World Rugby Men's Ranking powered by Capgemini – after beating rivals Czechia 28-18 in Stockholm on Saturday.
The victory was worth a single rating point, increasing Sweden’s overall total to 48.82 and putting them up into 38th position, one place and 0.37 of a point below Czechia.
This time two years ago Sweden had fallen outside of the world’s Top 50 but now they are only four places from their equalling their all-time high of 34th.
Czechia fell a place after suffering their first defeat of the season with Ukraine replacing them in 36th.
With promotion riding on the outcome, the first half was understandably tense and Czechia, the higher-ranked of the two teams, held a 6-3 lead thanks to a brace of penalties from fly-half Martin Cimprich.
Cimprich’s removal from the game due to injury set Czechia back, and the momentum swung Sweden’s way in the second half, the Scandanavians outscoring their east European opponents three tries to two to take the honours.