The latest IRB Rankings offer little joy for Scotland fans © Getty Images

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Scotland have fallen to 11th place in the latest International Rugby Board Rankings as a result of their Six Nations loss to England on Saturday.

The Scots' 13-6 defeat at Murrayfield resulted in them dropping below Samoa to equal their worst ever ranking since they were introduced in 2003. It is also the first time they have fallen outside of the top 10 since the lead up to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. As a result they now find themselves below the likes of Tonga and Samoa but still ahead of 12th placed Italy.

Scotland were not the only Six Nations side on the slide with Ireland's agonising 23-21 defeat to Wales in Dublin saw the two sides swap places in the rankings with the victors climbing to 6th and the hosts dropping to 8th to equal their lowest ever position.

Defending champions England did improve their rating with the victory at Murrayfield but it was not enough for them to improve on their current 5th place with New Zealand, Australia, France and South Africa currently filling the top four rankings.

The race to secure a top four ranking is set to intensify in the coming months as the sides that occupy those places following November's internationals will be the top seeds and therefore be kept apart in the 2015 World Cup pool draw that is scheduled for the end of the year.

IRB Rankings: (as of Febraury 6, 2012)

1. (1) New Zealand 91.43
2. (2) Australia 87.99
3. (3) France 84.70
4. (4) South Africa 84.34
5. (5) England 82.34
6. (8) Wales 81.01
7. (7) Argentina 80.28
8. (6) Ireland 79.25
9. (9) Tonga 76.63
10. (11) Samoa 75.81
11. (10) Scotland 75.44
13. (13) Canada 72.92
14. (14) Georgia 71.09
15. (15) Japan 70.45
16. (16) Fiji 68.78
17. (17) USA 65.63
18. (18) Romania 64.21
19. (19) Namibia 61.24
20. (20) Russia 60.54