An unbelievable turn around in Welsh form has seen them claim the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008. A glorious victory, 29-12, over France at Cardiff gave them a clean sweep in the competition and saw them gain three more ranking points and claim seventh place in the Openside Rankings. They have gained an incredible 18 points since last November.

Despite losing three points in their loss in Cardiff, France still hold fifth spot in the rankings but England are now sniffing at a potential fifth placing after gaining a point in their victory over Ireland.

Italy snuck a point with a last minute drop goal win over Scotland but are still firmly entrenched in tenth spot in the Openside Rankings. Scotland are five points above them on 116 points.

So the story of the 2008 Six Nations tournament has to be the remarkable success of the Welsh rugby team claiming three places in the Openside Rankings. Of course the question now is was all this just a flash in the pan or are they for real? We shall find out in June when they travel to South Africa to face the current world champions, will the Springboks put the Welsh upstarts in their place or will they continue their meteoric rise in the rankings?

 

2006 Mar	Jul	Sep	Nov	2007 Feb	Mar	Jun	Jul	Oct	Nov	2008 Mar	Jul	Aug	Sep
157	156	156	163	163	163	172	173	178	178	178	175	174	174	New Zealand	1
141	140	137	139	139	139	143	143	151	152	152	154	155	155	South Africa	2
137	142	145	147	147	147	149	148	150	150	150	153	153	153	Australia	3
115	129	129	131	131	131	137	137	144	144	144	138	138	138	Argentina	4
135	131	131	123	124	125	120	120	136	136	133	133	133	133	England	5
136	134	134	141	141	145	141	141	130	130	127	133	133	133	Ireland	6
139	145	145	141	145	145	135	135	143	143	138	132	132	132	France	7
125	119	119	121	121	117	119	119	114	113	131	130	130	130	Wales	8
114	113	113	113	112	110	110	110	120	120	116	120	120	120	Scotland	9
100	106	106	121	117	118	116	116	114	114	111	112	112	112	Italy	10