Rugby: Italy up to 8th place in world rankings, a high

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 18 - Italy are up to a record high eighth place in the world rugby rankings having overtaken Wales after winning 24-21 in Cardiff Saturday with Warren Gatland's men dropping to 10th having also been passed by Australia. .
    The Azzurri have only been this high once before, in March 2007, after also beating Wales at the Flaminio in Rome.
    In the last year Gonzalo Quesada's men have scaled six spots in the rankings, from 14th.
    South Africa remain top, followed by Ireland who have just won their second straight Six Nations despite losing to England to spoil their crack at a second straight Grand Slam.
    2024 was the Azzurri's best ever Six Nations' result having won two games - the other against Scotland at the Olimpico a week ago - and drawing another, 13-13 against France in Lille, with Paolo Garbisi's last-second kick hitting the upright to deny them a historic first win on French soil. (ANSA).