Explanation
The Rugby Union ranking is calculated from the introduction of the Men's Rugby World Cup in 1987. The Rugby World Cup represents the highest scoring event in Rugby Union, while the Olympic Games hold the highest value in Rugby Sevens. The system also includes other major global competitions, the Rugby Union World Ranking, and continental championships, which are weighted according to their importance and success on the international stage.
For additional interest, the project also features combined rankings covering both disciplines of the sport.
For additional interest, the project also features combined rankings covering both disciplines of the sport.
Scoring system
| Contest | Discipline | Category | Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup | Rugby Union | Men | 1987-2023 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Olympic Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2016-2024 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| World Cup | Rugby Sevens | Men | 1993-2022 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| World Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2001-2013 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| World Rugby Ranking | Rugby Union | Men | 2003-2025 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| World Rugby Sevens Series | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2000-2026 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Six Nations | Rugby Union | Men | 1987-2026 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| The Rugby Championship | Rugby Union | Men | 2012-2025 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Tri Nations Series | Rugby Union | Men | 1996-2011 | 3 | 1 | |||
| African Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2023-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Asian Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 1998-2022 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Commonwealth Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 1998-2022 | 2 | 1 | |||
| European Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2023-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Pacific Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 1999-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Pan American Games | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2011-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| European Championship | Rugby Sevens | Men | 2002-2026 | 1 | ||||
| Six Nations Grand Slam | Rugby Union | Men | 1987-2023 | 1 | ||||
| The Rugby Championship Grand Slam | Rugby Union | Men | 2012-2023 | 1 | ||||
| World Cup | Rugby Union | Women | 1991-2025 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Olympic Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2016-2024 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| World Cup | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2009-2022 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| World Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| World Rugby Ranking | Rugby Union | Women | 2003-2025 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| WXV 1 | Rugby Union | Women | 2023-2024 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| World Rugby Sevens Series | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2013-2026 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Six Nations | Rugby Union | Women | 1996-2026 | 4 | 2 | 1 | ||
| African Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2023-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Asian Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2010-2022 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Commonwealth Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2018-2022 | 2 | 1 | |||
| European Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2023-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Pacific Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2011-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Pan American Games | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2015-2023 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Africa Cup | Rugby Union | Women | 2019-2026 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Pacific Four Series | Rugby Union | Women | 2021-2026 | 2 | 1 | |||
| European Championship | Rugby Sevens | Women | 2003-2026 | 1 | ||||
| Six Nations Grand Slam | Rugby Union | Women | 1996-2026 | 1 |