Spain benefit from Welsh woes in World Rugby Women’s Rankings

A record 45-0 home defeat to Ireland in the second round of the Women’s Six Nations 2021 has seen Wales fall one place to 10th in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings – equalling their lowest-ever position. It is the first time Wales have been as low as 10th since August 2017.

Warren Abraham’s side have yet to score a point in this year’s Championship, with the Ireland setback coming on the back of a 53-0 home reverse to France, and they are now below Spain in the rankings.

Ireland wasted no time in imposing themselves on the hosts in Cardiff, scoring four tries inside the first quarter. Eimear Considine and Beibhinn Parsons both crossed twice, with Sene Naoupu also scoring to give the Irish a commanding 31-0 half-time lead.

Wales tightened up defensively in the second half but Dorothy Wall went over from close range and Hannah Tyrrell, who kicked five conversions, added a seventh try.

Ireland remain in eighth place behind Italy, despite picking up one and three-quarters rating points for a rare win on the road.

Red Roses impress in second-half surge

Italy stay above them in seventh place as their 67-3 home defeat to defending Grand Slam champions England did not cost them any rating points.

The Red Roses showed why they are the number one team in the world with a dominant nine-try victory that fell just short of beating their previous best winning margin of 70 against the Azzurre, set back in 2008.

It took a while for Simon Middleton’s side to find their stride with tries from Emily Scarratt and Vicky Fleetwood and a Helena Rowland penalty their only scores of the first half. Michela Sillari took the three points on offer for Italy.

Scarratt kicked a penalty to get the scoring underway in the second half before the bench was unloaded to positive effect and the Red Roses ran in seven further tries.

Abby Dow scored two of them with Harriet Millar-Mills, Rowland, Bryony Cleall, Claudia MacDonald and Lark Davies also getting their names on the scoresheet.

Read more: Women’s Six Nations 2021: Six players to watch >>

Photo: WRU