England have extended their lead at the top of the rankings over New Zealand, thanks to recent Test victories away to the All Blacks and Australia.

The Irish remain two places behind France, while Scotland and Wales take up eighth and ninth places respectively. Both have lost points due to recent results.

Zurich World Rankings (as of July 1, 2003):

(-) 1 England 1287 (+48)

(-) 2 New Zealand 1210 (+4)

(-) 3 Australia 1153 (+7)

(-) 4 France 1096 (-43)

(-) 5 South Africa 1042 (-3)

(-) 6 Ireland 882 (-11)

(+1) 7 Argentina 798 (+36)

(-1) 8 Scotland 772 (-9)

(-) 9 Wales 687 (-15)

(-) 10 Samoa 664 (-16)

(+1) 11 Italy 593

(-1) 12 Canada 591 (-12)

13 Fiji 567

(-) 14 Tonga 517 (-5)

(-) 15 Japan 457 (+11)

(-) 16 United States 407 (+15)

17 Romania 383

18 Georgia 359

19 Uruguay 307

20 Namibia 294