**Wales Rise in World Rugby Rankings After Dramatic Win Over Japan**
World Rugby has officially released its latest international rankings, with Wales making a notable leap after clinching a long-awaited victory at the weekend. The Welsh squad’s 32-21 triumph against Japan has not only ended an 18-match losing streak but has also propelled the team two spots higher in the global league table.
Prior to this uplifting result, Wales had endured a barren spell that lasted a staggering 644 days without a Test win. This drought saw them plummet to an unprecedented 14th position— the lowest in their rugby history— even slipping below the very Japanese side they faced in Kobe. The much-needed victory over Eddie Jones’ Japan has injected fresh hope into the Welsh camp and resurrected their prospects ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Following this positive result, Wales now stand 12th in the rankings, moving ahead of Samoa, who sit in 13th place. Meanwhile, Georgia remain narrowly ahead in 11th. This improvement is especially significant, as World Rugby’s rules state the top 12 teams at the end of the year will form the top seeding pots for the upcoming World Cup draw. Sliding back below 12th spot would risk Wales being drawn into a notoriously difficult “group of death” in 2027, a peril the team will be eager to avoid.
The Welsh players celebrated the final whistle in Kobe, aware of the wider ramifications their overdue win may have on the national side’s ambition and morale. This result could well provide the foundation upon which they hope to rebuild as they prepare for a demanding schedule ahead. Wales are set to face Test matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and reigning world champions South Africa before the year draws to a close. These encounters will be critical, with ranking points at stake and the chance to further consolidate their position amongst the rugby world’s elite.
Turning to developments elsewhere in the rankings, Australia has also made significant moves just ahead of their eagerly anticipated Test fixture against the British and Irish Lions. The Wallabies advance from eighth to sixth, while both Argentina and Scotland have slipped back a place to seventh and eighth, respectively. Scotland’s setback came at the hands of an energetic Fiji side, who won 29-14, while Argentina suffered another defeat against England.
At the pinnacle, South Africa continue to set the pace as the world’s leading rugby nation, holding a rating of 92.78. New Zealand, after an emphatic victory over France, solidify their own credentials in second place, followed by Ireland in third. France and England, securing fourth and fifth, are still in the pursuit, with England making up ground after consecutive wins.
Another noteworthy shift within the top 20 sees Spain leapfrog the United States into 15th place after a strong campaign, illustrating the growing competitiveness across the sport’s emerging nations.
World Rugby’s full rankings at press time are as follows: South Africa (92.78), New Zealand (91.72), Ireland (89.83), France (88.16), England (87.64), Australia (82.08), Argentina (82.05), Scotland (81.37), Fiji (80.50), Italy (77.77), Georgia (74.69), Wales (74.05), Samoa (72.68), Japan (72.29), Spain (68.91), USA (68.45), Uruguay (67.52), Portugal (66.44), Tonga (65.46), and Chile (63.20).
While the latest reshuffling provides a much-needed morale boost for Welsh rugby fans, it’s clear that the road ahead remains challenging. With high-profile fixtures looming and World Cup seeding on the line, Wales must build on their Kobe resurgence if they are to re-establish themselves among the world’s rugby powerhouses.