Ireland host France at the Aviva Stadium, in a potential 2025 Men’s Six Nations Championship decider on Saturday, which could also further shake up the world rugby rankings – where the Springboks still sit at the summit.

The Test between Ireland and France kicks off at 16:15 (SA time) on Saturday.

There will be a lot riding on this game. An Irish victory could seal an historic Six Nations three-peat before targeting the Grand Slam on the final weekend.

As if there’s not enough riding on this game, Ireland could also close the world rankings gap to less than one point as they eye the Springboks’ top spot.

Permutation highlights:

  • Ireland are unable to catch South Africa at the top of the rankings this weekend as they can only gain a maximum of 0.52 rating points for beating France by more than 15 points in Dublin.
  • This would leave Ireland still trailing the world champion Springboks by 0.90 of a point.
  • Defeat will cost Ireland second place to New Zealand, but a France victory by more than 15 points will also see Les Bleus climb above their hosts into third.
  • France have not been ranked above Ireland since July 2022, the same month in which the Irish were last ranked as low as fourth.
  • A beaten France side will remain in fourth as Scotland are unable to improve their rating with victory over Wales as a result of the 8.61 points difference between the teams before home weighting is factored in.
  • Scotland will fall below Australia if held to a draw at Murrayfield, a result which would see Wales climb back above Georgia into 11th place.
  • A defeat by more than 15 points will see Scotland also fall below Fiji with a three=place drop to 10th possible if the margin is by more than 15 points and Italy upset England at Allianz Stadium.
  • Without this margin of defeat for Scotland, Italy can still improve their position of 10th but it would require their first-ever win over England to be by more than 15 points. This scenario would be enough to lift the Azzurri above Fiji.
  • England can only gain a maximum of 0,11 rating points for beating Italy so cannot climb any higher than sixth place.
  • However, defeat will see England fall below a victorious Scotland side into seventh, with Australia also set to climb above them if the margin is by more than 15 points.  

CURRENT WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS AS IRELAND LOOK TO CUT THE GAP ON THE SPRINGBOKS

RANK COUNTRY POINTS
1 South Africa 92.78
2 Ireland 91.36
3 New Zealand 90.36
4 France 87.86
5 Argentina 84.97
6 England 84.26
7 Scotland 82.36
8 Australia 81.52
9 Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 78.00
11 Georgia 74.69
12 Wales 73.75
13 Japan 72.95
14 Samoa 72.68
15 USA 70.02
16 Portugal 68.30
17 Spain 67.34
18 Uruguay 67.06
19 Tonga 65.46
20 Romania 62.76

SIX NATIONS 2025 FIXTURES

ROUND 4

Saturday, 8 March

Ireland vs France

Scotland vs Wales

Sunday, 9 March

England vs Italy

ROUND 5

Saturday, 15 March

Italy vs Ireland

Wales vs England

France vs Scotland

Ticket sales

Remember, if you want to catch the Springboks take on Argentina in this year’s Rugby Championship in Twickenham, tickets are now on sale!

Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s.

Hospitality packages are also available on www.allianzstadiumtwickenham.com

(*booking fees apply)

WHAT ARE YOUR SCORE PREDICTIONS IN THE SIX NATIONS?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/rankings-preview-ireland-eyeing-springboks-top-spot/