Three teams could break into rugby's top three as Nations Championship resumes this weekend

France, England and Australia could each climb into the world’s top three this weekend as the Nations Championship resumes, with nearly every top-25 side in action and the World Rugby Men’s Rankings set for a significant reshuffle.

South Africa’s position at the summit is safe unless they suffer a shock defeat to an injury-hit Italy side in Genoa — a result that would be unprecedented. New Zealand sit second and will stay there regardless of their outcome against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, as Ireland cannot accumulate enough points from their Friday night clash with Argentina in Dublin to close the gap.

Third place, however, is genuinely up for grabs. Ireland currently hold the position, but France can displace them if Argentina win in Dublin on Friday and Les Bleus then beat Fiji in Lyon on Saturday. England face a similar opportunity: a home win over Australia at Twickenham, combined with an Ireland defeat, would lift them two places to third. England could also fall as low as eighth if Ireland win by more than 15 points and England suffer the same margin of defeat.

Australia present perhaps the most striking scenario. The Wallabies could reach third — a height they have not seen since November 2021 — if they beat England by more than 15 points, Argentina also win by the same margin, and France lose to Fiji. Given the injury problems currently affecting Les Bleus, that outcome is not entirely far-fetched.

Scotland’s all-time high of fifth could be equalled or surpassed if they defeat New Zealand at Murrayfield, though a run to third would also require Ireland, France and England all to lose on the same weekend.

Lower down the table, the battle between Wales and Japan for a top-10 position adds further intrigue. Just 0.15 ranking points and two places separate tenth-place Wales from 12th-place Japan ahead of their meeting at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The two sides have swapped positions four times already in 2026, and Japan will return to the top 10 with a win — provided Italy do not upset South Africa.

In the Nations Cup, Chile are chasing an all-time high of 14th place. Los Condores need to beat Portugal, who currently occupy that spot, to climb two places. Samoa also face a significant moment in their inaugural meeting with Zimbabwe in Wakefield, with their own ranking position on the line.