Scotland climb to joint all-time high of fifth after record win over Argentina

Scotland have equalled their all-time high of fifth in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings after beating Argentina 47-38 at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, registering their highest-ever score against the Pumas on Argentinian soil in the process.

The result, which opened Scotland’s Nations Championship campaign, pushes their rankings score to 84.11, enough to leapfrog both Argentina and England in the standings. England drop to sixth despite not losing any ranking points of their own following a 45-21 defeat to South Africa. The last time Scotland occupied fifth place was during Rugby World Cup 2023.

The match itself was emblematic of a high-scoring opening weekend across both the Nations Championship and the World Rugby Nations Cup, where an average of 69 points were scored per game. Scotland’s tally of 47 was their best-ever return in Argentina, and the margin of nine points was enough to trigger the rankings movement when the table is officially updated at noon on Monday.

At the top of the standings, South Africa’s lead over New Zealand has narrowed to 2.90 points. The All Blacks’ 34-32 win over a weakened France in Christchurch lifts their score to 91.04, while South Africa remain static on 93.94 after their win over England carries no rankings reward. Ireland stay third after edging Australia 33-31, with France fourth and Australia unchanged in eighth.

Wales fell short of breaking back into the top 10 despite a 39-24 win over Fiji, with Italy’s 27-10 loss to Japan keeping the Welsh side 11th.

Elsewhere, the USA climb to 14th — their best position since the start of Rugby World Cup 2019 — after a 30-29 win over Portugal. Samoa rise from 20th to 18th following a 66-19 victory over Rugby World Cup debutants Hong Kong China, while Canada move from 25th to 23rd after a 42-42 draw with Spain, the highest-scoring draw in Test rugby history.

Spain are the biggest fallers, dropping three places to 20th, while Argentina slip two to seventh. Portugal, Uruguay, Hong Kong China and Zimbabwe each lose one place after difficult Nations Cup openers.