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DRAGONS SOAR

Wales up to 13th in Fifa world rankings… two places ABOVE England with Northern Ireland at 20

Chris Coleman's side beat Moldova and Austria in recent World Cup qualifying wins to boost chances of making Russia 2018

WALES have bagged British bragging rights - climbing two places above England in the world rankings.

Chris Coleman's side beat Moldova and Austria in recent World Cup qualifying wins to boost their chances of making Russia 2018.

 Gareth Bale celebrates Ben Woodburn's long-range winner against Austria
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Gareth Bale celebrates Ben Woodburn's long-range winner against AustriaCredit: Getty Images
 Chris Coleman's Dragons could now avoid the big guns in the play-offs
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Chris Coleman's Dragons could now avoid the big guns in the play-offsCredit: Reuters

It means the Dragons have soared from 18th to 13th in the world rankings - two places above the Three Lions.

Northern Ireland are 20th, with Scotland 43rd.

While Dragons fans will enjoy getting one over the English, their ranking could be even more significant in their quest to qualify for Russia.

Wales sit second in Group D, four points behind group leaders Serbia with two games to go.

If they finish second and reach the play-offs, as one of the best-placed runners-up, their seeding will be vital.

It could hand them a favourable draw for the tournament group stage as one of the four highest-ranked teams.

 Woodburn's howitzer grabbed Wales a crucial win at home to Austria
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Woodburn's howitzer grabbed Wales a crucial win at home to AustriaCredit: Getty Images
 Aaron Ramsey and Co celebrate Woodburn's super strike
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Aaron Ramsey and Co celebrate Woodburn's super strikeCredit: Reuters

The draw for the play-offs takes place on October 17, a day after the rankings update.

The four best-ranked teams will go into one pot and be drawn against the other four to have finished second in their groups.

 Wales fans celebrate with their players at Cardiff's Principality Stadium
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Wales fans celebrate with their players at Cardiff's Principality StadiumCredit: Rex Features

Italy and Portugal are two of the teams poised for the play-offs at this stage.

And a favourable seeding mean Wales would swerve them.

Coleman's side face Georgia away on October 6 before a showdown with Republic of Ireland in Cardiff three days later.

 England have slipped behind Wales in the world rankings
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England have slipped behind Wales in the world rankingsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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