Australia were leapfrogged by Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after their recent stunning successes in Euro 2008 qualifiers.

The Irish sides' success - together with a surge by Senegal - pushed the Socceroos back to 43rd place, from 40th last month.

England fell two places to eighth following their sluggish win over Andorra and draw against Israel.

Scotland, joint leaders in their Euro 2008 qualifying group, fell three places to 19th while Northern Ireland leaped 14 places to 33rd.

Wales are up three to 74th while Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland rose 20 places to 31st.

England have now been overtaken by Holland and Portugal while Italy regained top spot from Argentina after their recent wins over Georgia and Scotland.

Scotland slipped following that defeat to Italy in Bari last month, which followed a home win over Georgia in Group B.

Giant-killers Northern Ireland, whose manager Lawrie Sanchez has been recruited by Barclays Premiership strugglers Fulham until the end of the season, are now 33rd - ahead of Chile (37), Bulgaria (38), and Norway (49).

Despite losing to the Republic of Ireland at Croke Park and beating minnows San Marino 3-0 last month, Wales moved up three - though they bizarrely sit two places behind Oman.