Malta have dropped one place to 51st in the latest IRB world rankings. This slight drop came about following recent wins for countries that were ranked below Malta.

South Africa are on top of the IRB rankings followed by New Zealand and Argentina respectively.

Switzerland are the biggest movers, climbing three places to 49th as a result of a 28-13 defeat of Denmark in their European Nations Cup Division 3A encounter last weekend.

The victory avenged a narrow 24-22 loss to Denmark in Basel a year ago and took Switzerland to within a point of Division 3A leaders Sweden.

However, the Swiss have played a game more than the table-toppers in the competition that spans two seasons.

The two countries to benefit from Denmark's defeat were Peru and Barbados who each gained one place, while the Cook Islands, Malta and Sri Lanka all lost one as a result of Switzerland's progress.

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