Ireland have gained ground on fourth-placed South Africa in the latest IRB World Rankings, which were published on Monday.

The Irish, who accounted for the 'Boks with a 32-15 win on Saturday evening, are still in fifth place but are now less than two points behind Jake White's men. Ireland are on 83.81 Rating points with the South Africans, who have dropped a place, on 85.24.

Australia, next Sunday's visitors to Lansdowne Road, leapfrogged the 'Boks into third thanks to their 25-18 victory over Italy in Rome over the weekend.

Bernard Laporte's French side stay second despite their 47-3 humbling by the All Blacks in Lyon. Thanks to that success, New Zealand have extended their lead at the top to over seven Rating points.

Elsewhere, England, having lost 25-18 to Argentina at Twickenham, have slumped to seventh - their lowest ever positioning since the rankings began in 2003. The victorious Pumas have jumped to sixth which is their highest ever position.

Ireland's highest ever ranking was third back in October 2003, while their lowest mark was seventh during the 2005 RBS 6 Nations.

IRB WORLD RANKINGS (As of November 13):

(1) - NEW ZEALAND 94.06 Rating points
(2) - FRANCE 86.39
(3) - AUSTRALIA 85.50
(4) - SOUTH AFRICA 85.24
(5) - IRELAND 83.81
(6) - ARGENTINA 79.01
(7) - ENGLAND 78.14
(8) - SCOTLAND 77.72
(9) - WALES 77.02
(10) - SAMOA 73.86

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