Italy have matched their previous all-time best of eighth in the World Rugby Men's Rankings following their 24-21 win over Wales in Cardiff.
Wales suffered the ignominy of a first Six Nations wooden spoon since 2003 after Italy posted a 24-21 victory over them in Cardiff.
Scotland's Six Nations campaign unravelled in disastrous fashion in Rome as they crashed to a first defeat against Italy since 2015.
England survived a scare at the Stadio Olimpico to launch their post-World Cup rebuild with a 27-24 victory over Italy in their Guinness Six Nations opener.
Andy Farrell hailed Ireland's ruthlessness after their Guinness Six Nations title defence was launched with a record-breaking five-try demolition of 14-man France.