Rugby, a sport with a rich century-old history, is gaining the attention of a global audience through play and spectatorship. Men’s and Women’s teams from different nations engage in an annual battle to claim the prestigious title of World Cup Champion.
As the 2023 World Cup scheduled for September and October ends, many passionate fans eagerly await women’s and men’s rankings. In this article, we will reveal the post-World Cup standings of the best Men’s and Women’s Rugby Teams in the world.
Men Ranking: Here are the Best Rugby Teams in the World as of December 2023
Throughout the history of international Rugby tournaments, a select few countries have consistently dominated the Union. Leading the pack isSouth Africa, renowned as the most successful men’s Rugby team globally.
South Africa Men’s — 94.54
South Africa has indeed established itself as a powerhouse in the world of rugby. Since entering the Union, the Springbok squad has consecutively been among the best teams. Their impressive records include four Rugby World Cup (RWC) titles in 1995, 2007, 2019, and 2023.
Ireland Men’s — 90.57
The Ireland rugby team, often regarded as the kings of rugby, holds their position as a top contender in the sport. Despite not securing a Rugby World Cup (RWC) victory, their consistent performances have earned them fourth-place finishes at the World Cup Quarterfinal seven times. Furthermore, the team has a collection of four Six Nations titles achieved between 2009 and 2018.
New Zealand Men’s — 89.80
The All Blacks are widely considered the best rugby team globally, boasting a 77.12% winning percentage from 1903 to 2021. With a record seven World Rugby Team of the Year titles, they hold numerous accolades, including seven RWC titles, 10 Tri-Nations trophies, and 19 Bledisloe Cups.
France Men’s — 87.81
Les Bleus have been consistent participants in the Rugby World Cup since 1906. They reached the quarterfinals in 1987, 1999, and 2011, securing a third-place finish in 1995. In the Six Nations, the squad achieved success by winning six titles between 2002 and 2022.
England Men’s — 85.46
England has been a powerhouse in the Six Nations, securing seven victories from 2000 to 2020. Notably, they achieved Grand Slams in 2003 and 2006, winning all five fixtures in the tournaments. Beyond the Six Nations success, the team earned a new record by clinching the RWC Championship title in 2003.
Scotland Men’s — 83.44
Rugby holds a prominent position in Scotland sports, with the national squad consistently showcasing top-tier performance. While they haven’t secured a Six Nations title, the team has a history of success, clinching many Home Nations and Five Nations titles dating back to the 1880s.
Argentina Men’s — 80.68
Since the 1999 World Cup, the Pumas’ performance during the tournament has led to a rise in interest in rugby in Argentina. The team has achieved a lot of victories and consistently competes well against Six Nations sides. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Argentina remained undefeated in their pool and reached the semi-finals for the first time.
Wales Men’s — 80.64
Wales have won four Grand Slams and two other titles. They’ve been performing so well that there is only one instance of finishing at the bottom. Additionally, Wales has qualified for every Rugby World Cup since 1987, when the tournament was established.
Australian Men’s — 77.48
Nicknamed the Wallabies, the Australian men’s rugby team has competed nine times in Rugby World Cups. They were crowned the champion on two different occasions and were also the runner-up twice. They won their first World Cup trophy when they defeated England in the 1991 Rugby World Cup final.
Fiji Men’s — 76.38
Known as the “Flying Fijians,” Fiji regularly makes it to the Rugby World Cup every four years. They shocked the world in the 1987 and 2007 tournaments, where they triumphed over Argentina and Wales, reaching the quarterfinals. They replicated this feat in the current 2023 edition but faced a setback, losing to England 30-24 in the quarterfinals and falling short of surpassing their highest score.
| Rank | Country | Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 94.54 |
| 2 | Ireland | 90.57 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 89.80 |
| 4 | France | 87.81 |
| 5 | England | 85.46 |
| 6 | Scotland | 83.44 |
| 7 | Argentina | 80.68 |
| 8 | Wales | 80.64 |
| 9 | Australia | 77.48 |
| 10 | Fiji | 76.38 |
Women Ranking: Here are the Best Rugby Teams in the World as of December 2023
Image: Female Rugby players
As the second-highest-rated team on the Women’s World Ranking, New Zealand is the winner of the previous 2022 World Cup, while England women clinched the 2023 title. Here are the reigning best Women’s Rugby teams.
England Women’s — 96.18
The growth of the three-time World Champions has been nothing short of meteoric, as they now claim the top spot in both men’s and women’s rugby rankings. The Red Roses, England’s esteemed women’s rugby team, have truly set themselves apart as an elite force.
New Zealand Women’s — 90.56
The Black Ferns are the powerhouse in Women’s rugby, with an impressive 85% winning rate. They’ve clinched six RWC titles, thereby maintaining their dominance. With sold-out venues and millions tuning in on TV, their performances draw a massive audience, making it one of the most-watched women’s sporting events.
France Women’s — 87.89
Unlike their male counterparts, the French Women’s squad hasn’t secured a Rugby World Cup trophy yet. However, they’ve consistently performed well, achieving third place in six World Cup tournaments (1991, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2017, and 2021). Dominating the Six Nations, they’ve claimed six titles between 2002 and 2018, including five Grand Slams.
Canada Women’s — 86.27
Canada’s women’s rugby team stands among the world’s best, with a notable fourth-place finish in the 2022 World Cup. Anticipated to exceed expectations, the team is considered a strong contender for victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, currently holding the fourth spot in the women’s global rankings.
Australia Women’s — 81.61
One year after the first women’s National Rugby Tournament was held in 1992, the Australian Women’s Rugby Team was created. From then on, they were nicknamed the Wallaroos. Australian women’s rugby team were ranked 5th on this list due to their applaudable performance in 2023.
Wales Women’s — 76.67
Wales Women have been on an upward movement since transitioning to professionalism in January 2022. In that historic month, 12 WRU contracts were awarded, a number that increased to 25 for the current calendar year. Achieving a record-high ranking of sixth in the world, Wales Women have brought a welcome positive element to Welsh rugby.
Italy Women’s — 75.61
Italy, now ranked seventh, secured their position with a 36-18 victory over hosts South Africa in WXV 2, earning them two consecutive wins. Topping the WXV 2 standings on points difference, they hold a slim lead over Scotland, and they enter the final round as the higher-ranked team. Italy’s rating has risen to 74.24 points, propelling them above the USA, who faced a 24-14 defeat against an in-form Scotland.
Scotland Women’s — 74.37
The Scotland Women’s national rugby union team, under the governance of Scottish Rugby, has actively participated in five Women’s Rugby World Cups, playing an important role on the global rugby stage. Scotland made its debut in the tournament in 1994 and has qualified for subsequent editions in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. However, they did not secure qualification for the 2014 tournament.
USA Women’s — 72.02
The Women’s Eagles of the USA faced a defeat in their final match of 2023, as Italy emerged victorious with a score of 30-8 in the last fixture held in Cape Town. The USA finishes their inaugural WXV tour with a 1-2 record. Despite the loss, it marks the end of an eight-test match year for the USA Women’s Eagles and over 12 weeks of assembly.
Ireland Women’s — 71.52
Irish women fell to 10th place after they had aimed for a bonus point win that would secure automatic qualification for the finals in New Zealand, potentially replacing Italy. However, their failure to secure second place in the pool meant they missed out on a spot in the final qualifying tournament, with Scotland claiming that position.
| Rank | Country | Points |
| 1 | England | 96.18 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 90.56 |
| 3 | France | 87.89 |
| 4 | Canada | 86.27 |
| 5 | Australia | 81.61 |
| 6 | Wales | 76.67 |
| 7 | Italy | 75.61 |
| 8 | Scotland | 74.37 |
| 9 | USA | 72.02 |
| 10 | Ireland | 71.52 |
How Are the World’s Best Rugby Teams Determined?
The world’s best Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams are determined through the Points Exchange System (PES). As reported by World Rugby, international matches determine a calculation where each participating team influences the other based on the match outcome, their relative strength, the margin of victory, and consideration for home advantage.
Therefore, the Points Exchange system operates on a method of reciprocal gain and loss – what one side gains, the opponent loses, and vice versa.
FAQs
- Which country has the most Women’s Rugby World Cup titles?
New Zealand stands as the most successful team in the tournament by a wide margin, securing six titles, including four consecutive victories from 1998 to 2001. England follows with three titles, and the United States has claimed one.
- Which country has won the most Trophies in Rugby World Cup Tournaments?
South Africa has won the most trophies in the tournament’s history, having won four out of four finals. New Zealand followed closely with three trophies.
- Has England won the Rugby World Cup?
England is the only European country to ever lift the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2003. France is the only nation that came close. Unfortunately, they suffered defeat in 1987, 1999, and 2011 in three different finals.
- Has England ever beaten South Africa?
The Red Rose of England and the Springboks have faced each other in 46 test matches. South Africa leads with the most wins by 28 to 16; they have only two ties.
Final Words
The top 10 best Rugby countries worldwide have been compiled using the union’s Points Exchange System, where teams are rated from 0 to 100 points. It’s worth noting that compared to the men’s side, women’s squads play fewer matches and begin with different starting ranking points, contributing to some disparities in the rankings.