Ireland set for world rankings boost on Monday morning

Ireland have now won seven games on the trot and are heading into the 2018 Six Nations as one of the main contenders.

Following Ireland’s 28-19 victory at the Aviva Stadium, on Saturday, Joe Schmidt was in top form.

He opted not to lavish praise on the likes of Jacob Stockdale and Jonny Sexton, who were both undoubtedly brilliant, and instead gushed about ‘super, super’ Chris Farrell and spent about two minutes speaking enthusiastically about Darren Sweetnam, who was not even playing against Argentina. Later on, he was heard talking up Barry Daly – not even in the November squad – as one to watch out for.

As for the game itself, Schmidt would have preferred if his side had finished on a high rather than under the posts after a late consolation try from Argentina. “The two tries they got late in the game,” he began, “both were frustrating.

“But the way we built our way into the game was very satisfying; really good set-play try. There were certainly plenty of good elements until that time.

“It’s a mixed bag because they generally tend to be mixed bags but I never mind a mixed bag when you’ve got a nice, comfortable nine-point margin after they’ve scored at the end.”

Schmidt then focused on Ireland winning the Six Nations next year and, with away fixtures against France and England on either side of three home games, they are a team to fear.

Monday morning will reveal a world rankings boost for Ireland and will sting for French rugby fans that have already endured their country losing to New Zealand, South Africa and drawing with Japan this month.

Ireland will climb to third in the world [up from fourth] and will only have England and New Zealand ahead of them. Australia, who were third, drop a place after getting flaked 53-24 by Scotland at Murrayfield.

The rest of the top 10 is unchanged until we reach Argentina. They climb to eighth despite losing to Ireland, on account of the French draw with Japan. France are now at an all-time low of ninth and they have lost five and drawn one of their last six Test outings.

PROJECTED RANKINGS

1. New Zealand
2. England
3. Ireland
4. Australia
5. South Africa
6. Scotland
7. Wales
8. Argentina
9. France
10. Fiji

Not a bad opponent for Ireland to face next on their 2018 Six Nations quest, which kicks off on February 3.

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