The International Rugby Board has just released the updated world rankings list following the matches played the past weekend.

Last week Malta climbed seven positions from number 53 to number 46 after beating Latvia away 28-0.

Following another victory last Saturday at the Hibernians Stadium in Corradino - a 14-10 comeback home win to Lithuania - Malta has reached new heights and climbed another four positions to now occupy number 42 in the new official IRB world rankings list. Despite defeat, our opponents Lithuania remain at number 39.

In the other weekend match from Division 2A in Split, Croatia’s home victory 34-08 against Latvia sees them climb one spot - from number 51 to 50 - while Latvia drop even further from number 68 to 69.

The top five remain unchanged with world champions New Zealand in pole position, followed by Australia, France, South Africa and England.

Division 2A – latest standings: Sweden (P6/24 points); Lithuania (P6/19 points); Malta (P6/16 points); Croatia (P6/11 points); Latvia (P6/8 points)

Remaining matches: 21 April 2012 – Malta-Sweden; 28 April 2012 – Latvia-Lithuania; Croatia-Malta; 5 May 2012 – Sweden-Latvia; Lithuania-Croatia