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Wales could sit on top of the world before a ball is even kicked against England on Sunday.

Warren Gatland’s Grand Slam winners are set to top the world rankings for the very first time in their history if current leaders New Zealand lose their Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

There’s a genuine chance Wales can head to Twickenham for their opening World Cup warm-up clash with England having usurped New Zealand at the top of the rankings.

There are no points difference requirements, the men in gold simply have to win and the Wallabies have a remarkable record over their southern hemisphere rivals during Webb Ellis Cup years.

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Australia have beaten the All Blacks in every year a World Cup has been played and many pundits are pointing to that record being maintained at the Optus Stadium on Saturday.

However, the bookmakers only have Australia at 4/1 to beat Steve Hansen's men on Saturday.

Despite Michael Cheika’s side failing to fire on all cylinders in the Rugby Championship thus far with a crushing defeat in South Africa and a slender 16-10 win over Argentina last month, New Zealand cross the Tasman Sea with question marks surrounding their own World Cup chances.

Their 16-16 draw with the Springboks in Wellington last month pulled Wales close to Steve Hansen’s side in the global rankings without even playing.

It means New Zealand only hold a 1.58 point lead over Wales in the rankings and a defeat of any kind for the back-to-back world champions at the Optus would see the All Blacks lose 1.66 of a point giving the current Six Nations champions top spot.

(Image: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

On the flip side their climb to the summit of the World Rugby rankings might be short-lived with defeat to Eddie Jones’ England in west London.

Not only would Wales lose their number one tag with defeat at HQ but they will likely slip to third in the world behind Ireland, who host Six Nations rivals Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.