Wales will be hoping that history repeats itself as they prepare to face England on the opening weekend of the RBS Six Nations, just as they did two years ago when a 26-19 win set them on the road to a Grand Slam.
Tries from Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips gave Warren Gatland a winning start to his tenure as Wales coach and his charges will arrive at Twickenham on Saturday seeking a fourth successive Six Nations win over England.
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England are the higher placed of the two sides in the IRB World Rankings in sixth, two places and 0.83 rating points above Wales. However, the sides will swap places if Wales win again at the home of English rugby.
Wales could actually climb another place to fifth if they win and France suffers only their second loss to Scotland since the tournament became the Six Nations in 2000.
Fourth spot - equalling their highest ever position since the IRB World Rankings were introduced in October 2003 - is not beyond them, although this would also require Ireland to lose by more than 15 points to Italy.
A first Six Nations win over Wales since their 47-13 triumph in 2006 will not improve England's position of sixth, unless France slip to defeat at Murrayfield the following day or defending champions Ireland are heavily beaten by Italy.
Ireland go into the defence of their title as the highest placed northern hemisphere nation in the IRB World Rankings in fourth, albeit just over seven rating points behind number one side New Zealand.
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IRELAND V ITALY,
ENGLAND V WALES AND
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The Irish, who ended a 61-year wait for a second Grand Slam in 2009, cannot improve their rating even with an emphatic victory over Italy, a side ranked seven places and 12 rating points below them.
Italy, who will be without their talismanic captain Sergio Parisse for the entire Six Nations through injury, last beat Ireland in 1997 - 37-22 - and only an emphatic win could improve their standing of 11th.
This would also require Scotland to lose by more than 15 points at Murrayfield, a simple loss to France resulting in Andy Robinson's side only falling one to 10th with Fiji the beneficiaries.
Scotland, looking to build momentum on the back of beating Australia for the first time in 27 years during the November tests, cannot improve their position with victory, only edge closer to Wales, England or France.
The RBS Six 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.
Look out for a preview of the Russia v Portugal, Romania v Spain and Georgia v Germany matches in the European Nations Cup and what impact they can have on the IRB World Rankings on Friday.
The IRB World Rankings update every Monday at 12:00 UK time.
