Rugby Union - World Rankings

The International Rugby Board awards points based on the results of IRB-recognised international matches. The more recent results and most significant matches are weighted to help reflect the current competitive state of a team. The ranking system was introduced the month before the 2003 Rugby World Cup, with the first new rankings issued on 9 September 2003.
For the first time The IRB used the rankings  to seed teams for the 2011 World Cup draw.