Touching distance.

Ireland can overtake the All Blacks in the World Rugby Rankings over the next few months if they continue their excellent run of form.

With New Zealand’s season over after this weekend’s final November Test with Italy, and Ireland just beginning theirs with the Six Nations still to come – Joe Schmidt’s side are in the driving seat following Saturday’s win at the Aviva.

If Ireland defeat the USA this weekend and then England at the Aviva in their opening Six Nations match in Dublin, as well a Scotland in Murrayfield in Round 2 – they will overtake New Zealand as the number one ranked team in the world.

Three games. That’s all Ireland need. But it will be no easy task. USA are on an excellent run of form, and England will be out for revenge having lost their last two games to Ireland. Rugby World Cup opponents Scotland meanwhile, defeated Ireland upon their last visit to Murrayfield.

There is also another unlikely scenario that could see Ireland jump to number one this weekend and that involved the All Blacks losing to Italy. But let’s be realistic here. No offence Italy.