England have slipped further down the World Rugby rankings after a historic defeat to Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Coach Steve Borthwick’s men, whose opening Six Nations win against Wales had lifted them to third in the rankings, have now fallen to sixth after suffering a first-ever loss to the Azzurri in 33 Test meetings.
Argentina move up to fifth, while Italy remain 10th despite gaining 1.28 ranking points.
REPORT: Awesome Azzurri stun England in Rome
France stay fourth and Scotland seventh despite the latter’s 50-40 win at Murrayfield earlier on Saturday.
The Scots gained 1.37 ranking points, with Les Bleus losing the same amount.
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Third-ranked Ireland’s 27-17 win over 12th-ranked Wales in Dublin on Friday night had no impact on the rankings due to the gap in rating points between the sides.
World Rugby rankings (Top 15)
1. South Africa 93.94
2. New Zealand 90.33
3. Ireland 88.89
4. France 87.03 (-1.37)
5. (↑1) Argentina 84.97
6. (↓1) England 84.34 (-1.28)
7. Scotland 83.08 (+1.37)
8. Australia 81.53
9. Fiji 81.14
10. Italy 81.09 (+1.28)
11. Japan 74.09
12. Wales 73.62
13. Georgia 73.48
14. Uruguay 69.19
15. Spain 68.86
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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