Most Dominant Rugby Nations in 2025 | Global Power Rankings

Ireland men led the IRB standings in 2024 and earned an impressive win on tour to South Africa, keeping the momentum going with a Triple Crown in the 2025 Six Nations.

Although the year has not come with the silverware many may have expected, the Irish have continued to set themselves as a major player in men’s and women’s world rugby.

The Green Wave reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup and the Shamrocks have stayed consistently in the top three of the IRB men’s rankings.

Ireland’s success has been attributed to multiple factors, including investing in elite coaches and establishing provincial franchises to build the game from the grassroots upwards.

The Springboks have been in rampant form in 2025, successfully defending the Rugby Championship and consistently keeping New Zealand and Ireland at bay in the IRB rankings.

The Springbok Women also made history, reaching the quarter-finals of the 2025 Rugby Women’s World Cup and finally breaking into the top 10 of the global women’s rugby ladder.

South Africa remains a powerhouse in the sport thanks to several factors, such as the country’s strong rugby culture and a depth of talent from the younger stars feeding into senior teams.

The knock-on effect of a record four Men’s Rugby World Cup titles, and a positive outlook for the women’s game, continue to inspire future Springboks to strive towards further dominance.

Emilie Boulard /Getty Images

Even with a few lean seasons and other top-tier nations threatening the IRB hierarchy, New Zealand remains a formidable foe in world rugby that few would consider taking lightly.

The strength of the All Blacks is undisputed, with the Black Ferns boasting a Rugby World Cup winning streak that was unbroken from the 2014 group stages to the 2025 semi-finals.

Genetics have been posited as a reason for New Zealand’s dominance, although the use of top-level training facilities and cultivating of budding young talents is just as important.

Rugby also has a strong cultural identity in NZ, similar to South Africa, and a clear belief in having the greatest men’s and women’s teams has been built from every level upward.

France has been a consistent force in the top 5 of the world rugby rankings, with their men’s and women’s teams believed to be knocking at the door of a future World Cup title.

The French domestic system, epitomised by the high-intensity Top 14, continues to attract global talent and allows domestic players a strong platform to hone their talents.

Much has also been said of the iconic ‘flair’ France lays claim to, coupled with a strong focus on defensive efforts and system based on strong federation support and coaching.

Australian rugby is in an interesting place currently, with the men’s team dipping in the IRB rankings and the women’s team rising up a few places after the 2025 World Cup.

However, the Wallabies have proven their championship mettle time and again and the Wallaroos would be hoping to also stand on that hallowed stage in coming years.

The state of Australia’s rugby has come up for debate, with some highlighting the current decline overall, although the country is sure to bounce back after some changes.

Argentina’s rise in global rugby dominance has been a sight to behold, rolling momentum forward year after year and giving the world’s best something to be cautious of.

The Pumas had a genuine shot at clinching The Rugby Championship in 2025, including their impressive 29-23 victory over New Zealand and 28-26 triumph over Australia.

While the men’s game has come a long way in the past few decades, thanks to a depth of talent and strong domestic structures, the women’s game has yet to meet that pace.

Having both teams positioned in the world top 10, Italy is another interesting case, as its women’s team continues to make a stronger case than its men’s squad.

Despite a dull Six Nations campaign, Gli Azzurri have often punched above their weight against stronger nations, while Le Azzurre has also shown glimpses of its stock.

Italy has developed a strong talent pool, arguably among the best the country has seen yet, and strong management and coaching could pave the way to future success.

Similar to examples like New Zealand and South Africa, rugby is big business in Fiji and few countries can match up to their intensity, power, and determination.

The Flying Fijians are ever-present in the IRB top 10 and have proven themselves as true dark horses when it comes to upsets in major international tournaments.

The women’s game is not at the same level, however, requiring more investment into uplifting the sport from the grassroots up and bringing in high-level coaches.

Despite less resources to draw upon, Samoa shares a similar cultural view of rugby, combined with factors such as genetics that result in hard-hitting, fast-running teams.

Its men’s and women’s teams remain outside the world top 10, but that does not discount spirited performances and remarkable wins against some of rugby’s elite.

Manu Samoa, coached by the legendary Tusi Pisi, and Manusina Samoa, under the experienced Ramsey Tomokino, are fuelled by an unquenchable passion.