Wallaroos and Scotland battle for sixth place in World Rugby rankings this weekend

Wallaroos and Scotland battle for sixth place in World Rugby rankings this weekend

Australia’s Wallaroos and Scotland will contest more than a WXV Global Series fixture when they meet in Edinburgh on Saturday — the result will determine which side claims sixth place in the World Rugby rankings, with the Wallaroos holding the chance to rise as high as fifth.

It is the first time the two sides have faced each other on Scottish soil. A Wallaroos victory would secure sixth, and if Ireland lose to Japan in Galway on the same weekend, Australia would move to fifth — equalling their highest-ever position in the rankings.

At the top of the table, England will retain first place regardless of results, though their lead could be trimmed to 0.75 points should the Black Ferns beat them by 15 or more at Allianz Stadium. Second-placed Whitney Hansen’s side are also safe from being overtaken by Canada or France, though their cushion could shrink to as little as 0.05 points under a specific combination of results.

Ireland, coached by Scott Bemand, can gain no more than 0.06 ranking points from a win over Japan. The Sakura Fifteen, meanwhile, can climb to 10th if they beat Ireland and South Africa lose to Italy.

Wales have a route back into the top ten: beat the USA Women’s Eagles and hope South Africa fall to Italy. The USA face a potentially turbulent weekend, with the possibility of dropping up to three places depending on the outcomes of the Italy–South Africa and Scotland–Wales matches. Italy themselves can return to sixth if they defeat South Africa, provided the USA do not beat Wales by a larger margin.

The Springbok Women cannot improve beyond 10th even with a bonus-point win, and could slide two places if both Wales and Japan win their respective matches.

WXV Global Series Challenger

In Hong Kong, the final round of WXV Global Series Challenger fixtures carries its own rankings implications. Fiji cannot improve their ranking position regardless of the result against the Netherlands, but a victory would be enough to crown the Fijiana as Challenger champions.

The Netherlands must beat Fiji by 15 points or more to improve on 15th place. Hong Kong China can reach 15th if they beat Samoa by the same margin and the Netherlands lose heavily to Fiji.

Samoa cannot drop below 17th with a loss but can climb to 15th with a convincing win over Hong Kong China. Brazil can reach a new high of 22nd with a victory against Spain, while Las Leonas are unable to advance from 14th.