MICK McCARTHY's reign in charge of the Republic of Ireland has opened with a drop of five places in FIFA's world rankings, to 37th, while Northern Ireland have slipped back six positions to 57th.

England have risen four places to 23rd. However, the Euro '96 hosts are still ranked below 10 of their 15 rivals for this summer's championship, even though they have leapfrogged Bulgaria whom England beat 1-0 at Wembley last month and group A opponents Switzerland since the previous list was released in February.