Ireland have moved up to third in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings, their highest position for three years.

Eddie O'Sullivan's team followed up a comfortable victory over South Africa earlier this month by beating Australia 21-6 Lansdowne Road yesterday, climbing two places as a result.

England remain seventh despite ending a seven-Test losing sequence by defeating the Springboks 23-21, although they are just 0.15 behind Argentina, who beat them at Twickenham nine days ago.

World Cup favourites New Zealand remain way out in front, almost nine points clear of second-placed France, with Scotland eighth and Wales ninth.

Latest IRB rankings:

1 New Zealand 94.59
2 France 85.86
3 Ireland 84.68
4 Australia 84.63
5 South Africa 83.83
6 Argentina 79.70
7 England 79.55
8 Scotland 77.72
9 Wales 77.02
10 Samoa 73.86