Despite there being only four matches this weekend, there was still plenty of movement in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini with notable gains for two Rugby World Cup 2023 teams.

Georgia easily overcame Spain in Torrelavega, while Portugal produced a stirring second-half performance to beat a Romanian side that will also grace the tournament in France later this year.

Both teams have improved their rankings as a result of their third consecutive bonus-point victories in the new-look Rugby Europe Championship, which also guaranteed them home semi-finals.

The Lelos have moved above Italy following their 41-3 win over Spain and are now just eight-hundredths of a point away from overtaking Samoa and matching their all-time best position of 11th.

Meanwhile, Portugal’s 38-20 win against Romania in Lisbon on Sunday combined with Los Leones’ heavy defeat has led to Os Lobos moving up two places in the rankings to a record-equalling 16th place.

Spain have dropped one place to 17th and Uruguay are now also one place worse off in 18th.

Romania remain in the top 20 with 2.85 points still separating them from Namibia below them.

The two other winning teams from the final round of pool play in the Rugby Europe Championship also moved up the rankings.

The Netherlands were rewarded for a hard-fought 33-29 win away to Germany to the tune of 1.27 points, which has lifted them up one place to 28th. Germany have fallen three places to 34th.

Germany’s demise had a positive knock-on effect for Korea, Zimbabwe and Kenya who all move up one place.

In Gdynia, Poland recorded their first-ever win in the Rugby Europe Championship at the third attempt, beating Belgium 21-15.

Christian Hitt’s team are now one place better off in the rankings in 29th, while Belgium drop to 27th.

Photo: Federação Portuguesa de Rugby