The Irish rugby team returned to the summit of the World Rugby Men's Rankings this weekend after South Africa lost to Argentina.
Los Pumas beat the world champions 29-28 in Santiago del Estero on Saturday, and this result leaves South Africa 0.35 points behind Andy Farrell's Ireland team in second place
New Zealand maintained their third-place status after beating Australia 31-28 in Sydney to win the Bledisloe Cup. Australia remains 10th in the rankings.
Ireland are officially back at the top of the World Rankings after South Africa’s loss to Argentina at the weekend ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/poS0P2DYbq
— BallCarrier (@BallCarrier_) September 23, 2024
In other news relating to Ireland, the Mirror reports that Munster could petition the IRFU to allow Jack Crowley to return to action a week ahead of schedule.
Crowley missed the win over Connacht at Thomond Park last weekend and wasn't expected to return for the Ospreys tie in Round 3. However, he could be fast-tracked for the game against Zebre in Round 2 due to an injury crisis affecting Billy Burns and a lack of experience in the 10 jersey.
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree said this morning that Crowley’s inclusion would depend on developments on Monday.
“There’s a hard and fast rule around Round 3, but there will be dispensation on an individual basis, depending on how thin we are in certain positions,” said Rowntree. “We’ll see what Monday brings. The majority are back in Round 3, but it depends on how thin we are in certain areas.”
“It’s on an individual basis, as you saw with Leinster’s selection on Friday. It’s good sense. We’ll see what Monday brings.”
Munster's game against Zebre starts at 3 p.m. on September 28.
