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Wales have dropped to 12th in World Rugby’s rankings, falling below Japan following their 35-21 defeat to Argentina on Saturday.
After beating Fiji in the opening round of the Nations Championship, Steve Tandy’s side rose to 11th but defeat in San Juan resulted in Wales losing 0.29 ranking points and dropping to 12th.
Despite losing to Ireland, Japan jump above Wales due to being just 0.04 points better.
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Wales have not been in the top 10 of World Rugby’s rankings since July 2024 and are 0.93 points behind Italy who are tenth.
They’ve not troubled the top 10 since then, even falling to as low as 14 last summer.
Elsewhere, England rose to fifth in the world rankings after their 73-8 demolition of Fiji in Liverpool.
Steve Borthwick’s side have overtaken Scotland who have dropped to sixth after slipping to a 42-28 defeat to South Africa in Pretoria.
There are no other changes in the top 10 with the Springboks increasing their lead at the top of the rankings by 0.02 points with New Zealand, Ireland and France making up the rest of the top four.
Argentina stay in seventh place but gained 0.29 points after beating Wales.
Australia remain in eighth but dropped 0.68 points after losing 42-26 at home to France, while Fiji stay in ninth but dropped 0.84 points.
Wales vs Japan VIP and hospitality tickets
Seat Unique is offering VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ Nations Championship matches against New Zealand and Japan in November.
Latest World Rugby men’s rankings
1 South Africa – 93.96
2 New Zealand – 91.04
3 Ireland – 89.32
4 France – 87.43
5 England – 84.75 (+1)
6 Scotland – 84.09 (-1)
7 Argentina – 84.06
8 Australia – 80.60
9 Fiji – 78.69
10 Italy – 77.31
11 Japan – 76.42 (+1)
12 Wales – 76.38 (-1)
13 Georgia – 73.30
14 USA – 69.40
15 Portugal – 68.67
16 Spain – 67.66
17 Uruguay – 67.62 (-1)
18 Chile – 67.59 (-1)
19 Samoa – 66.27 (-1)
20 Tonga – 65.85 (-1)
21 Belgium – 61.03
22 Romania – 60.92
23 Canada – 59.46
24 Hong Kong China – 58.86
25 Zimbabwe – 58.59
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