Top three rankings tussle in Dublin

A convincing victory for Wales in Dublin this weekend could see them reach their highest ranking since RWC 2015 and replace Ireland in the top three

France will fall below Japan for the first time in rankings history if they lose to Italy in Marseilles on Friday.

Those are just two of the possible permutations in the World Rugby Rankings this weekend as the Six Nations and the Americas Rugby Championship continue.

Round three of the Six Nations kicks off on Friday with France’s encounter with Italy in Marseilles, followed by Saturday’s double bill featuring Ireland versus Wales and Scotland against England.

In the penultimate round of the Americas Rugby Championship, defending champions and 2018 leaders USA will be looking to keep their 100 per cent record intact with victory against Brazil in São Jose dos Campos on Saturday. The same day Chile take on Uruguay in Santiago and Argentina XV play Canada in Jujuy, although the latter does not count towards the rankings.