Ireland went into their match with Samoa as the lower ranked of the two teams, but the 40-9 victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday means the Irish climb two places to sixth. According to the IRB website, the margin of victory was enough to not only lift Ireland above Samoa, but also Wales, albeit only by five hundredths of a rating point after the Welsh fell to a 24-15 defeat against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium. This defeat means Wales have now gone 17 Tests without beating either the Springboks, Wallabies or All Blacks. The win means South Africa narrow the deficit slightly to New Zealand above them with the All Blacks due to celebrate four years atop the IRB world rankings on November 16.

France’s 26-19 defeat by New Zealand has not proven too costly for Les Bleus, who maintain their spot but with a lower rating point total. The All Blacks are again unchallenged at top spot with a slightly improved rating.

Australia remain fourth after the 50-20 win over Italy, but improve their total by half a point thanks to the try-fest in Turin.

England and Argentina began the weekend third and 10th respectively in the world and are unchanged despite the home side’s 31-12 victory at Twickenham.

Scotland stay ninth after their 42-17 win over Japan, but with an improved points rating, and the vanquished Brave Blossoms rise one place to 14th as a result of Canada’s 19-15 loss to Georgia in Tbilisi.

Portugal hosted Fiji in Lisbon but endured a try count of six to one as the visitors ran up a 36-13 result to climb one place to 12th with the Portuguese remaining 22nd.

Tonga fall two places to 13th after a last minute penalty by Florin Vlaicu secured a 19-18 win for the 17th ranked Romanians in Bucharest, a result which benefits Italy who, despite the loss to the Wallabies, rise a place to 11th.