And the Oscar for the steepest climb up the World Rugby rankings over the course of the year goes to…the United States of America. As if to remind the rest that they aren’t called The Eagles for nothing, the Americans are up five places to 17th.
The only country that come anywhere close, Ireland, will be ploughing headlong into the Americans at the World Cup in Japan. The European champions are up three places to second.
Wales are two places better off, from 5th to 3rd with Fiji making similar progress from 12th into the top ten. Of those in the top 20, the Wallabies have suf...