England have slipped to fourth in the official World Rugby rankings following their 40-24 Six Nations loss to Wales in Cardiff at the weekend.
The defending Six Nations champions have now lost two of their first three games in this year's event and their current standing is their lowest ranking since August 2019.
France, whose match against Scotland was postponed due to a Covid-19 outbreak in their camp, have taken England's third spot.
Wales, meanwhile, gained 1.86 rating points and moved up to fifth in the rankings - past Ireland and Australia.
Despite an emphatic 48-10 win over Italy in Rome, Ireland dropped down a place to seventh.
The heavy defeat cost the Azzurri one place in the rankings, with Franco Smith's charges now 15th behind Samoa to equal their lowest ever position.
Meanwhile, the Springboks continue to sit handsomely at the top of the standings on 94.20 ratings points.
The All Blacks are second on 88.95 points.
World Rugby rankings (Top 10):
1. South Africa (94.20 points)
2. New Zealand (88.95)
3. France (86.42)
4. England (85.63)
5. Wales (83.97)
6. Australia (83.08)
7. Ireland (82.55)
8. Scotland (81.29)
9. Argentina (80.31)
10. Japan (79.29)
