Unwanted record.

The 2023 Summer Nations Series officially kicks off this weekend with the likes of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all in action with the Rugby World Cup just weeks away.

Ireland will host Italy in the Aviva, with Scotland locking horns with hosts France at Murrayfield, and England and Wales set to do battle with each other in Cardiff as both sides look to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 so far.

While these games are traditionally used as a final chance to trial combinations and make a decision on who will make the final Rugby World Cup squads, England or Wales could make some very unwanted history if things don’t go according to plan on Saturday.

England currently sit in 6th in the World Rugby Rankings, with Wales even further down in 9th position – and things could get even worse. England will drop to an all-time low of eighth if they are beaten by the Welsh by more than 15 points, while Warren Gatland’s side drop down to 10th if they lose by more than 15 points to Steve Borthwick’s men.

A bit of history neither side nation will not want this weekend.

Meanwhile, France can reclaim second place in the rankings if they defeat Scotland having recently been overtaken by the All Blacks. Top spot is possible for France if they win and Ireland don’t manage to do any better than draw with Italy in Dublin.

France and South Africa could become the world’s top two sides, with Ireland and New Zealand falling to third and fourth, but it would take an unexpected set of results for that to happen.

In addition to a France victory, South Africa would need to beat Argentina by more than 15 points in Buenos Aires and hope that Ireland and New Zealand lose at home by the same margin.