Rankings lift for Scotland

AS revealed in yesterday's Scotsman, Scotland's reward for causing the upset of the weekend and beating world champions South Africa 21-17 is a two-place climb to sixth in the latest IRB World Rankings, their highest position since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

Andy Robinson's side bounced back from a record loss to New Zealand seven days earlier to claim a first victory over the Springboks since 2002 - and only a second in 41 years - and climb above Ireland and Argentina. Scotland had started the autumn Test series in seventh spot, but dropped to eighth after the heavy loss to New Zealand.

South Africa's first defeat of their European tour sees them surrender second spot back to Australia and leave New Zealand, who scored four tries in beating Ireland 38-18, with a greater lead at the top of the world rankings. England remain the leading northern hemisphere nation in fourth after beating Samoa 26-13, with Ireland down in seventh and Wales in ninth spot, separated by Argentina who lost to France.

Georgia, coached by former Scotland coach Richie Dixon and who are in the Scots' World Cup pool along with Argentina and England, beat Canada 22-15 in Tbilisi to move above Tonga into 16th place. The final team of the World Cup pool will be confirmed this Saturday when Romania host Uruguay in Bucharest in the second leg of their qualifier, the first having finished 21-21.