Ireland will not only take a step towards back to back RBS 6 Nations Grand Slams with victory over France at the Stade de France on Saturday, but also break the southern hemisphere domination in the IRB World Rankings' top three.

A first win on French soil since March 2000 - regardless of the margin of victory - will see Ireland take over third spot from Australia to equal their best ever position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003.

On the other hand, a sixth successive defeat at the Stade de France and Ireland will lose their mantle as the leading northern hemisphere nation in the rankings with their conquerors assuming fourth position, regardless of the winning margin. The RBS 6 Nations is not the only competition which could impact the IRB World Rankings this weekend, with three other matches in Europe doubling as Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifiers.

Georgia may have run riot against Germany last weekend, but they will arrive in Lisbon for their European Nations Cup top division encounter with Portugal knowing they face a tough challenge to get the victory that will take them a step closer to RWC 2011 qualification.

The weekend's other European Nations Cup top division matches see Romania take on Germany in Constanta and Spain playing host to high-flying Russia in Madrid.