European Rugby League Members Progress In World Rankings

29 Jul 2024

The IRL has released its mid-year adjustment to the World Rankings with European Rugby League members demonstrating progress, with a large number of senior internationals in all three categories – men, women and wheelchair – having been played in 2024.

France climbs to be in the top for in the women’s rankings after an impressive Rugby League World Cup Qualifying campaign, whilst England has closed the gap on New Zealand to second.

After qualifying for RLWC2026, France have leapfrogged PNG into fourth place and Wales has usurped Canada for fifth spot, while Greece, Serbia and Netherlands, who climb from 18th to 13th, have also climbed the rankings ladder. 

England’s men have also closed the gap on New Zealand, but remain ranked third after their 40-8 victory against in France in Toulouse last month. 

Kenya (23rd to19th) and Uganda (26th to 22nd) have also moved up in rankings places after winning one match apiece against each other in May –18-16 to Kenya and 13-12 to Uganda. 

Nigeria have also advanced from 24th to 21st after beating 25th ranked Ghana 30-20 in January. 

In the men’s rankings, England regained third place from Samoa on the back of last year’s 3-0 series win against Tonga and have edged closer to the Kiwis after their 40-8 victory against France in Toulouse on June 29. 

Meanwhile, Ireland have moved to fourth place behind England, France and Australia after winning the wheelchair Celtic Cup in Galway. 

Ireland have leapfrogged Wales, who are fifth, with Scotland sixth and USA seventh – jumping Spain – after hosting a two-match series against Wales in February.

“Its fantastic to see so much activity across Europe, Middle East & Africa and the Americas leading to nations improving their world rankings position” noted Dean Andrew, European Rugby League’s Chairperson.

“The first stage of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition in Europe has given us seven very competitive games and our members have been working hard to stage several other senior internationals for women and regular fixtures, such as the mid-season games between France and England and the Wheelchair Celtic Cup have become staples in the fixture list for the first half of each year.”

“There will be more positives for our members later this year with RLWC Qualifying set to conclude in all three regions – Europe, the Americas and Middle East & Africa – plus men’s RLWC Qualifying in Europe and a host of other senior internationals in all three categories, with many more to still be announced!”

The IRL World Rankings are determined by the following criteria: 

  • Teams are awarded ranking points each time they play a sanctioned international fixture.
  • Result and margin: The bigger the win, the more points the winning team receives, and the fewer points are awarded to the loser.
  • Strength of opponent: The higher the ranking of the opponent the greater the weighting of the result.
  • Importance of the match: Games in official competition are weighted higher than bi-lateral arranged games. Rugby League World Cup games carry the greatest weighting.
  • More recent games are weighted higher than older games and only games since the 2017 World Cup are considered.
  • The rankings reward teams who are active and win games.