Asian 5 Nations rugby champions Japan have climbed into the top ten of the IRB World Rankings.
The Brave Blossoms extended their winning run to 10 matches with a first-ever victory over Italy in Tokyo at the weekend.
The 26-23 triumph lifts them up two places in the latest rankings to 10th with Scotland and Samoa, two of the teams they are paired with in Pool B of the World Cup in England next year, firmly in their sights.
Scotland are 8th, Samoa 9th and Fiji are now 11th.
Argentina drop to 12th, their lowest ever ranking.
New Zealand continue to top the rankings from South Africa, Australia and England.
