At the end of a busy weekend of autumn internationals,
Wales were the biggest climbers in the IRB World Rankings, up two places to sixth as a result of their 33-16 win against higher-ranked Argentina in Cardiff.
The Welsh were the only team in the world's top 10 on the rise, although
Scotland's fine 9-8 victory over the third-ranked Wallabies has given them a significant 1.66 rating point change, and moved them to within touching distance of
Argentina, who fell one more place to eighth.
VIEW THE FULL RANKINGS >>
New Zealand's victory over
England consolidated their new position at number one, while Martin Johnson's side falls back one place to seventh, behind Wales, as a result of their 19-6 battling loss at Twickenham.
Australia's shock reverse at the hands of the Scots, their first since 1982, drops them down by 1.65 rating points. Although they remain in third, they are now far closer to the French in fourth than South Africa in second.
South Africa's 32-10 victory in Rome did not affect their second-place world ranking. Neither did
France's 43-5 win against Samoa, nor
Ireland's 41-6 win against 10th-ranked Fiji.
USA Rugby World Cup-bound
Outside the world's top 10, the
USA strengthened their position at 17th in the world with their Rugby World Cup qualifying win against Uruguay - a victory that finally confirmed the Eagles' place at the 2011 tournament as Americas 2. They join Australia, Ireland and Italy in Pool C.
Meanwhile,
Japan justified their world ranking of 13 with a convincing victory against Canada, who remain once place below them in the world list.
The IRB World Rankings are published every Monday at 12:00 noon, UK time.
