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Cape Town – Wales are up to second place in the official World Rugby Rankings – for the first time since September, 28, 2015 – following their 25-7 win over Ireland in the final round of the Six Nations on Saturday.

Wales completed their third Grand Slam under Warren Gatland and extended their winning run in Tests to 14 matches.

Wales’ rating is now only a fraction lower than 90 points with the gap between themselves and the world’s number one team, New Zealand, standing at 2.58 points.

Ireland drop to third following the loss of 1.23 rating points, while England’s incredible 38-38 draw in a see-saw Calcutta Cup match saw them lose a point and Scotland gain one but with both teams staying put in the rankings, in fourth and seventh respectively.

Scotland gained a rating point but stay seventh behind Australia, while France – who beat 14th-ranked Italy 25-14 in Rome, remain eighth.

The Springboks remain in fifth position.

—Sport24.