Following the last test matches played this weekend, the final World Rugby rankings for 2024 are now known. The French XV finished in fourth place, like last year, but the gap with the pursuers increased.
The 2024 season of the French XV ended a week ago, but there were still a few international matches remaining this weekend, notably an Ireland-Australia (22-19), which changed the World Rugby rankings somewhat. .
What you have to remember is that the hierarchy has changed very little this year. The top four are exactly the same as a year ago, in the same order. South Africa still leads the way, with a gap that has narrowed significantly with Ireland (2 points, compared to 3.97 points at the end of 2023). New Zealand remains in third place on the podium, ahead of France who slightly improved their total points (88.51 against 87.81).
The XV of France has a new pursuer
It's behind the Blues that things are moving, and the gap is widening between the “Big Four” and their pursuers. The French XV is now 3.54 lengths ahead of fifth, compared to 2.35 after last year's World Cup. And the identity of this fifth has changed, it is no longer about England, which has fallen to seventh place, but about Argentina, which has progressed well.
Australia and Fiji also improved their points total while Wales, after a disastrous 2024 (11 defeats in 11 matches), disappeared from the Top 10.
World Rugby Ranking:
- South Africa 92.78 points (94.54 end of 2023)
- Ireland 90.78 (90.57)
- New Zealand 90.36 (89.80)
- France 88,51 (87,81)
- Argentine 84,97 (80,68)
- Scotland 83.34 (83.43)
- England 82.31 (85.46)
- Australia 81.52 (77.48)
- Fiji 80.07 (76.38)
- Italy 78.64 (75.93)
France
