IRELAND HAVE FALLEN in the Fifa world rankings ahead of their crucial Euro 2016 double-header.
Martin O’Neill’s side dropped one place to 51st in September but are set to rise again if they can pick up vital qualifying wins against Gibraltar and Georgia.
Argentina remain the world number one with Belgium, Germany, Colombia and Brazil filling out an unchanged top five.
Wales hold on to ninth place, their highest-ever ranking.
And with England dropping two places to 10th, it means that Chris Coleman’s side are now ranked above their neighbours for the first time since rankings began.
FIFA World Rankings – Top 10
1. Argentina
2. Belgium
3. Germany
4. Colombia
5. Brazil
6. Portugal
7. Romania
8. Chile
9. Wales
10. England
See the latest rankings in full here >
If they are…..they need to up the dosage because it’s not doing them much good.
Why is it always South Africa that gets the worst treatment. Surely it happens just as much in NZ , England and probably Ireland as much as it does there???
@Jamie Bent: because as he said its systematic there. The point about Ireland been small is corect. There’s plenty of ex players and crank journalists would would love to be able to break a story about drugs in the irish sides. Maybe at lower levels you might get a player or two but I just can’t see how any of the top professionals would get away with it.
@Jamie Bent: yes it does it’s happened since amatuer days. very little testing so no one knows the extent.
@Jamie Bent: temptation greater in South Africa rugby is a path to high earnings for someone from an impoverished background.
@Chris Mc: ` ex players & crank journalists` are the only ones who will break the omerta surrounding drug use in rugby I assume from your comment, the rest of the rugby pundits are merely PR for the IRFU, that figures.
@Jamie Bent: there js a picture of the South Africa team a few months ago and the props have 6 packs and everyone is a bit too big and strong to be true
Horgan reeeaaaallly liked what the lads were telling him in that photo.
Steroids are a factor in rugby . You only have to listen to the Irish lads mention “genetics “ during the World Cup and around certain games where we have played and been beaten up physically . We all know what they were talking about .
Be naive to think there are not Irish lads at it also but you can tell just by looking at physiques that is definitely more rampant in other countries than here.
Lance failed a good few drug tests. Just had them covered up by the powers that be.
De-risk rugby by getting rid of the “finishers” bench.
Read Stephen Ferris’ autobiography if you want an insight into “supplement” use.
Biggest problem with drugs in rugby today is whoever is dealing to the IRFU players..it’s farcical! 100% duds !
It’s riddled. No one can take that punishment off men who are 17-19 stone running full belt into you every game. It’s being kept quiet because it’s so small in Ireland. The posh elite are very good at keeping secrets
Here we go..
Most are taking HGH that’s a fact.
I’m afraid it’s all about Shane………… again
Rugby is grand, try the travellers in the story above .
Six Nations is off, what can we talk about to stir the pot and create some controversy?