IRELAND HAVE FALLEN behind next week’s opponents Argentina in the IRB World Rankings, dropping to eighth while the Pumas rise the seventh.

The publication of the new standings comes after a contrasting weekend of international action.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe inspired Argentina to a 26-12 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium, while Ireland suffered their fifth straight defeat, this time at the hands of South Africa in Dublin.

Ireland hope they can maintain their place in the second band of teams in the seedings for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

They need to beat Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on November 24 to ensure they they don’t drop to ninth in the rankings or lower, as that would leave them with a much tougher World Cup draw when that takes place on Monday, December 3.

IRB World Rankings (last week’s positions are in brackets):

1 (1): New Zealand 92.91 points
2 (3): South Africa 85.50
3 (2): Australia 84.82
4 (5): France 84.58
5 (4): England 83.09
6 (6): Wales 80.60
7 (8): Argentina 80.29
8 (7): IRELAND 79.04
9 (9): Scotland 77.97
10 (10): Samoa 77.14
11 (11): Italy 76.61
12 (12): Tonga 74.22

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