As the Rugby World Cup draws ever closer, the results of this weekend's international rugby fixtures will determine the final world rugby rankings of the 20 teams heading to Japan.
With Wales currently in fourth spot after dropping following a defeat to Ireland , Warren Gatland's men have the chance to redeem themselves this weekend in Dublin - where they could potentially resume the top spot.
Put simply, if Wales win by more than 15 points they will climb from fourth back to number one in the world. That result would see New Zealand drop to second, England remain in third, South Africa climb a place to fourth while Ireland would drop from second to fifth in the table.
A Welsh win by less than 15 points in Dublin would see Wales climb from fourth to second, sitting one spot behind the All Blacks. Ireland would then drop to fourth from their current second spot.
A draw for Wales would see a switch with England in the rankings, with Wales climbing one spot to third (the All Blacks and Ireland would remain as they currently are) while Eddie Jones' England would drop a single place to fourth - and that's with the assumption they win over Italy by more than 15 points.
England, New Zealand and Australia will all be expected to win by a margin of more than 15 points against Italy, Tonga and Samoa respectively.
Any defeat to Ireland will see Wales head to the World Cup ranked fourth in the world, with an Irish win by any margin ensuring Joe Schmidt's men go to the Rugby World Cup as the number one-ranked side - with the All Blacks in second spot.
What the world rugby rankings look like right now
- New Zealand (89.40 points)
- Ireland (88.86)
- England (88.13)
- Wales (87.92)
- South Africa (86.83)
- Australia (84.05)
- Scotland (81.00)
- France (79.72)
- Fiji (77.43)
- Japan (77.21)
This weekend's key fixtures
Japan v South Africa
Scotland v Georgia
England v Italy
New Zealand v Tonga
Australia v Samoa
Ireland v Wales
