IRELAND HAVE DROPPED to sixth place in the latest World Rugby rankings following Saturday’s defeat to England at Twickenham.
Joe Schmidt’s men had moved up to second in the world for the first time ever after their comprehensive win over a poor Wales team in Cardiff last month.
However, defeats to Wales and now Stuart Lancaster’s England have seen Ireland slip down the official rankings to sixth position.
It means New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will go into the World Cup as the top three ranked sides, with hosts England jumping to fourth and Wales occupying fifth position.
France, Ireland’s Pool D opponents, are in seventh position, while Argentina, Fiji and Scotland make up the top 10.