Hopes Fade of Argentina Avoiding RWC 2019 Pool of Death

Hopes continue to fade of Argentina avoiding a Pool of Death at Rugby World Cup 2019. In losing to Wales, Scotland and England in November, Argentina fell to 9th in the world. Los Pumas retain the position and results this far in the Six Nations have failed to change this.

On Monday World Rugby will update the official World Rankings. When this is done it will confirm that Argentina remains 9th in the world. In being outside the top 8 it signifies a disaster scenario for Japan 2019. The possibility of facing both the Springboks and All Blacks in the same pool remains strong.

Seedings for the World Cup are to determine the bands for the draw this coming May. With Argentina not playing a test match again before then there is no possibility of Argentina acquiring more points. The South Americans thereby need for a Six Nations side to fall below them.

Going into the tournament Scotland was the most likely candidate. Yet the Scots are now to climb to a record high of 5th in the world. This is a result of their home wins over both Ireland and Wales this month. Ireland’s win over France today means France will drop from 7th to 8th, one place ahead of Wales who are to be ranked 7th.

Sitting in 6th position is South Africa. The Springboks’ results in 2016 saw the African powerhouses falling far. Their fall helped Rugby Championship rivals Australia remain in the top four. Joining them at the present is Ireland though Scotland could yet take that position.

There is still room for hope for Argentina. Should Wales lose to both Ireland and France then Argentina will be ranked above the Welsh. A loss only against France would not be sufficient. Therefore Argentina require Wales to lose at home against Ireland in their next match on March 10.

The additional possibility is for France to lose either remaining fixture. France firstly faces Italy in Rome and then Wales in Paris. A loss of any kind, based on the updated rankings, in Paris would see France fall to 70.33 points. A heavy loss would give France a ranking of 78.71 points.

Argentina’s involvement in the Americas Rugby Championship is with the Argentina XV. With it not being Los Pumas no points can be won or lost. A Band C placing is the reality at present. The remaining two rounds of the Six Nations will determine the final outcome.

Monday’s updated World Rugby World Rankings will be as follows: