The Rugby World Cup is up and working with each nation now having performed not less than one recreation.
Uruguay and Portugal produced standout performances on the second weekend of the match, pushing France and Wales nearer than anticipated.
Ireland and South Africa, in the meantime, stay unbeaten forward of a crunch Pool B assembly this weekend in Paris.
How has the motion in France affected our energy rankings?
Here, The Independent assesses how each nation stacks up because the World Cup rolls on. Get all the most recent rugby betting websites presents right here and signal as much as bet365 utilizing The Independent’s distinctive bonus code by clicking right here.
Rugby World Cup energy rankings
Tier one – true contenders:
1. France (↔️)
(AFP through Getty Images)
A scratchy efficiency from France’s second string in opposition to Uruguay, however they averted catastrophe. There is little to decide on between the primary 4 sides however you fancy the hosts can be exhausting to cease on the Stade de France with the gang behind them.
2. Ireland (⬆️1)
Jumping up one spot this week are Ireland, who put a doubtlessly troublesome Tonga to the sword. Their assault is buzzing, with Bundee Aki in excellent type and Johnny Sexton very a lot again within the swing of issues – and with a factors report, too.
3. South Africa (⬇️1)
South Africa overwhelmed Romania, however drop a spot under their opponents this weekend on account of Ireland’s spectacular exhibiting and the damage to Malcolm Marx. The resolution to interchange the hooker with fly half Handre Pollard feels dangerous – although the Springboks stay actual contenders, after all.
4. New Zealand (↔️)
(PA)
The All Blacks bounced again from their opening evening defeat to France by thrashing Namibia. Building momentum can be key forward of the quarter-finals.
Tier two – better of the remaining:
5. Scotland (↔️)
It at all times regarded a troublesome begin for Scotland, and their failure to get their attacking recreation clicking left their forwards with an excessive amount of to do in opposition to the mighty Springboks pack. Gregor Townsend’s facet will retool, reload and goal their assembly with Ireland on Saturday 7 October.
Tier three – extra questions than solutions:
6. England (⬆️1)
England are as much as sixth in our rankings, with two wins from two to not be sniffed at. Having discovered a efficiency to be happy with dealing with the Pumas on the Stade Velodrome, issues weren’t fairly nearly as good in opposition to Japan, however a bonus-point victory and the persevering with success of the kick strain technique will please Steve Borthwick.
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7. Fiji (⬆️2)
(REUTERS)
Having come shut and but up to now on a wonderful evening of rugby in opposition to Wales in Bordeaux, Simon Raiwalui’s facet bought over the road in opposition to Australia for the primary time in 69 years to open up Pool C. The offloading ability stays however what is obvious is how this Fijian facet has come on in construction, with their tactical kicking recreation and scrum vastly improved from earlier iterations.
8. Wales (↔️)
Taulupe Faletau’s final-minute attempt to the bonus level it secured in opposition to Portugal may but show essential for Wales, who’ve a most 10 factors from two pool video games. A number of of these pushing for locations in opposition to Australia failed their auditions, although Faletau is getting higher by the week and Rio Dyer was namechecked by Warren Gatland afterwards.
9. Australia (⬇️3)
A sizeable drop in our rankings for the Wallabies, partly due to the defeat to Fiji but additionally the accidents to Taniela Tupou and captain Will Skelton. Australia are a distinct workforce with out the pair’s energy on the tighthead facet and as carriers. A full 5 factors in opposition to Wales could now be a should.
10. Argentina (↔️)
Was their four-place drop final week an overreaction to at least one defeat? Perhaps, however Argentina had been up to now faraway from their finest in Marseille, surprisingly in need of thought and depth in opposition to England’s 14 males. Michael Cheika minimize a pissed off determine at full-time – work may have been executed throughout the remaining week to keep away from a pool stage exit.
11. Samoa (↔️)
A barely clunky begin in opposition to Chile for Samoa, however finally they pulled away in a bitty recreation. The Pacific Islanders are properly coached by Seilala Mapusua and quietly have assembled one of many extra full squads within the match – if they’ll gel absolutely for the Argentina conflict this Friday, they’ll have a shot at an upset.
12. Italy (↔️)
(Getty Images)
An imperfect efficiency in opposition to Namibia within the St Etienne warmth, however 5 match factors depart Italy prime of Pool A, with a very good likelihood of one other bonus-point victory of their subsequent encounter with Uruguay on Wednesday. Stunning France or New Zealand nonetheless would possibly show a step past Kieran Crowley’s facet.
13. Georgia (↔️)
A number of glimpses of why Georgia can be a Pool C menace in defeat to Australia in Paris. The win in Cardiff and besting of Italy final yr have raised Georgian hopes of progressing out of their World Cup pool for the primary time, however you worry that Fiji and Wales can even have slightly bit an excessive amount of for Los Lelos.
14. Japan (↔️)
A sloppy exhibiting from each side on Sunday evening in Nice noticed Jamie Joseph ruing Japan’s misfortune, with the primary two England tries coming courtesy of a lineout misfire and a fortunate ricochet of Joe Marler’s head. Japan pale slightly late on and whereas some trademark attacking creativity guarantees a lot, Joseph’s facet have to be extra medical.
15. Tonga (↔️)
After a disappointing first exhibiting in opposition to Ireland, persevering with questions at fly half and within the entrance row will concern coach Toutai Kefu in such a troublesome pool. There is not any doubting that Tonga have expertise but it surely was a efficiency of people quite than a cohesive workforce effort in Nantes.
Tier 5 – improvement the important thing:
16. Uruguay (↔️)
Mega-impressive from Uruguay in opposition to France on an evening the place most wrote off Los Teros’ possibilities, denying the hosts a bonus level. A few friendlier bounces of the ball and a distinct view of Romain Taofifenua’s head-high sort out and maybe Uruguay may even have produced an actual shock. A brief turnaround to the fixture would possibly make the duty simply barely too massive in opposition to Italy, although.
17. Portugal (↔️)
The different underdog to come back out of the second weekend most actually in credit score, Portugal’s attacking recreation induced Wales loads of issues. Patrice Lagisquet prompt his frustration at full-time got here from the truth that he felt his facet had not even performed their finest, with an damage that hampered kicker Samuel Marques additionally a disappointment. Certainly, although, none of Pool C’s different combatants will take the Portuguese calmly.
18. Chile (↔️)
This yr’s solely World Cup debutants have come a good distance in a brief house of time and confirmed as a lot in opposition to Japan and Samoa with two vibrant performances holding them 18th in our rankings. There can be a step-up in high quality in opposition to England in Lille.
19. Namibia (↔️)
A drop down in high quality from Namibia in opposition to New Zealand from their opener in opposition to Italy, as was at all times possible given the would possibly of their opposition and a brief turnaround. Uruguay’s efficiency in opposition to France could recommend {that a} first Namibian World Cup win is unlikely, however the African facet had been inside eight factors of Los Teros earlier in the summertime and can be focusing on their 27 September assembly.
20. Romania (↔️)
Playing Ireland after which South Africa back-to-back was a nightmare begin for Romania, in all probability the nation at this World Cup with the worst outlook for the longer term with questions swirling in regards to the Oaks’ rugby programme. A weekend off ought to assist Eugen Apjok’s facet earlier than taking up Scotland and Tonga.
