Wales slide down rugby world rankings

Wales have dropped two places in the International Rugby Board's latest world rankings, despite their World Cup heroics.

Warren Gatland's men reached the last four in New Zealand and almost shaded France for a place in the final, despite playing over an hour with 14 men following the early dismissal of captain Sam Warburton.

Their performances have not aided their ranking, though, and they are the only side in the top 10 to fall down the ladder, slipping from sixth to eighth.

Champions New Zealand remain top, with Australia second, France third and South Africa fourth, while England complete an unchanged top five.

Ireland rise a place to sixth, as do seventh-placed Argentina, then come the Welsh, Tonga and Scotland in 10th.

PA