Spain’s heavy loss at the hands of Romania on the opening weekend of the World Rugby Nations Cup saw them lose 0.51 of a rating point to drop to 21st in the World Rugby Rankings with Uruguay taking their place in 20th.
Los Leones suffered a 35-9 defeat to the Oaks but they still hold a 3.35 points cushion over nearest rivals Namibia, who remain the lowest ranked of all the Rugby World Cup 2015 teams in 22nd.
Romania, meanwhile, remain in 18th but they have closed the gap on Canada, the side immediately above them in the rankings, to just a tenth following their fourth straight victory over Spain.
Also in the Nations Cup, Namibia lost 30-10 to the Argentina Jaguars in a match that did not affect the rankings.
In the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup the battle between the two RWC 2015 participants, Georgia and Uruguay went the way of the Lelos, although neither side’s rankings – or points total – was affected by the 19-10 scoreline. The Lelos remain unmoved in 14th, on 72.16 points, while Uruguay are on 62.11 points.
Zimbabwe were another nation to gain rating points without any material benefit from a rankings perspective. The Sables’ 28-20 Africa Cup Division 1A win over Kenya saw them gain 0.61 of a point leaving them fractionally behind 26th-placed Belgium. Kenya slip one place to 30th with Germany the beneficiaries.
Victories over Indonesia (17-6) and China (34-17) saw Guam crowned champions of the Asia Rugby Championship’s Division 3 East. The win over China earned Guam 2.35 ranking points and a rise of eight places to 71st place. Last year’s champions China finished second after a 47-21 win on Saturday against the lower-ranked Indonesia, however it was not enough to stop them falling five places to 67th after that loss to Guam. Indonesia hold on to 92nd spot despite losing 0.47 of a point.
Photo credit: Gogita Bukhaidze/Georgia Rugby Union