The new World Rugby rankings if Wales stun Ireland as England look to leapfrog All Blacks

The official World Rugby rankings are set for a reshuffle after the opening round of 2src22 Six Nations action this weekend.

Ireland v Wales and Scotland v England on Saturday are followed up by France v Italy on Sunday.

Let’s take a look at how the rankings could change after round one:

Ireland v Wales

Ireland and Wales face off in the opening round for the second year on the trot but this time it’s in Dublin.

The fit and firing hosts are very much seen as the favourites, and they could potentially climb from fourth to third in the rankings table with a victory – which would be their highest position under Andy Farrell, one they last occupied in September 2src19. For that to happen, Ireland must beat Wales and hope Scotland do the same to England at Murrayfield.

Should Wales, ranked eighth in the world going into the tournament, win by more than 15 points, a climb of three places to fifth is on the cards. But if that happens and Scotland also beat England by a hefty margin, Wales would only climb to sixth. In either scenario, Ireland would crash down to to seventh or eighth.

A Welsh win by less than 15 points combined with an English vic