In all seriousness, i think it is fair to say we have had a few years where the NH has never been stronger compared to the SH (excluding the past 48hrs). But there could be really challenging times in the next World Cup cycle for the 6N sides to hold or improve their pre RWC 2023 world ranking positions:
Wales - Biggar, Anscombe & Liam gone/too old, low wages in URC could lead younger internationals playing abroad. Gatland good, but he can't keep performing miracles surely?
Ireland - couldn't trust a back up fly half with even a minutes play in a QF when it was crying out for fresh, young legs. Their vital Kiwi trinity are likely too old and cannot easily be replaced due to residency rule change, so scrumhalf and winger depth could be issues too. Morale may be a challenge for the Leinster contingent. Questionmarks in my opinion remain about whether piling all the best Irish players into Leinster (limiting gametime and exposure to adversity) is best for the national team.
Scotland - ageing X-factor in Finn and Huw. Residency difficulties, u20s dire for years (so little coming through). Already playing a prop who has no team at this RWC. English league disincentives to become non English Q could really begin to bite. Finn and Townsend just waiting to fall out again. A lot depends on Ross Thompson at fly half and Finn's ability as he ages but I think Scotland almost need to target 2031.
England - Borthwick has both feet under the table. Although centralised player contracts could be a big positive. So from such a low base they should at least hold their relative position of around 6th to 8th. But hard to see an assault on the top 4 in the world now they are consistently toiling against the PIs.
Italy & France - I think can at least hold their places. Italy could really take off, finally. Surely some of their decent u20s from 4 or so years ago will blossom in this RWC cycle and they will dramatically close the gap on Scotland, Wales and maybe England? France desperately need to address fitness issues or whatever is causing second half slumps following lightening quick starts.
I think we will see a more convincing 3x SH semifinalists in 2027 (especially with the Pumas getting the Jaguares back in 2026) even though there are a bundle of issues in the SH too (AB player depth at lock, scrumhalf, fullback etc, Aussies generally, Pumas scattered around the world).
Tier2 - Fiji, Samoa and Tonga could all keep their place. Japan could go down the plughole a bit unless they get a Sunwolves and a good coach. If Georgia get some locks and learn to lineout then they should keep pace with Samoa (probably not with Fiji) and be nibbling the toes of any tier1s that slip up badly.
The rest of Tier2 is, as ever, extremely volatile from one cycle to the next as players drift into early retirement to put food on the table and coaching ability varies massively.
