Wales could spark major world rankings shake-up on huge Six Nations weekend as Scotland eye all-time record

Wales could cause a major shake-up at the top of the rugby world rankings if they upset the odds and stun Ireland in the Six Nations this weekend.

Warren Gatland's side have been largely written off for their trip to Dublin, having narrowly lost their opening two games of the tournament. The odds are certainly stacked against the young Welsh side as they prepare to face a team who have so far blown away both France and Italy and have not lost at home for over three years.

After the first fallow week of the tournament, there has been no change in the global standings but that is all set to change on another big weekend of Six Nations action. Join WalesOnline Rugby's new WhatsApp Channel here.

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If they defy the oddsmakers and seal victory, no matter how narrow, Wales will not only stop Andy Farrell's Grand Slam-chasing side firmly in their tracks, they will also move up from eighth to seventh in the table. But if they can deliver a world class performance and win by a margin of more than 15 points, they will rise to sixth place - but only if England beat Scotland in the Calcutta Cup.

Ireland, meanwhile, have very little to gain from a rankings perspective, and a lot to lose, with a heavy defeat to Wales, however unlikely, seeing them drop to third below New Zealand. England could rise to fourth if they beat Scotland, as long as France fail to defeat Italy, but Steve Borthwick's side can make sure of it themselves if they win by more than 15 points.

It could go either way for Scotland, with a fourth successive Calcutta Cup win, by a margin of 15 points or more, sending them above England. They could even secure their highest-ever ranking, fourth place, if they win by such a margin and Italy follow suit against France. However, defeat to Borthwick's men, coupled with a large Welsh win in Dublin, would see them fall to seventh.

There is a chance that every team inside the global top 11, other than top-of-the-table South Africa, could change position by the end of the weekend, with such movements hinging on the three Six Nations results. Wins for England and Italy, no matter the margin, together with a remarkable Wales victory over Ireland by more than 15 points, would see a complete reshuffle of the global order.

Although highly unlikely, if such a scenario was to transpire, the All Blacks would leapfrog Ireland into second place, with England doing the same to France by moving into fourth. Wales would move into sixth at the expense of Scotland and Argentina, with Italy rising to ninth, leaving Australia and Fiji in 10th and 11th respectively. Never say never, eh?