Ireland defeated Argentina 42-12 in Dublin on Friday night, recording a 30-point margin victory and scoring six tries. Although Mateo Carreras scored an early try for Argentina, the hosts took control and secured a comfortable triumph by the end of the match.
Hugo Keenan led the Irish attack with a hat-trick, while Dan Sheehan, Sam Prendergast and Ronan Kelleher also scored. Ireland's first try of the evening came after a flowing move in which Robert Baloucoune broke into space and found Mack Hansen, who then set up Keenan for the score. Keenan's hat-trick came in his first home game since the 2025 Six Nations, while Hansen's hat-trick against Australia in Dublin was a year earlier. Ireland had 59 per cent territorial dominance during the match and also outperformed Argentina in ball possession.
Coach Andy Farrell assessed the result as good, as few teams achieve this against Argentina, whom he called a dangerous side, but he highlighted that they had missed the opportunity to be ruthless. Ireland did not score after the 55th minute, when Kelleher finished a rolling maul. Farrell's back three before this match had only played together once before, four years ago against South Africa.
Captain Sheehan was forced off in the first half after failing a head injury assessment, but Farrell said Sheehan 'looks good in the dressing room'. Wing Baloucoune went off due to a blow in the 58th minute, Sean Jansen sustained a 'knock' to his knee, and Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen have ankle issues. Hansen continued playing after receiving treatment.
Tadhg Beirne said Argentina 'came flying' to Dublin while chasing their first away win over Ireland. 'We weathered the storm and got into how we wanted to play the game,' Beirne said, adding that some of the tries were genuine team efforts in which everyone was involved. He also noted that they were slightly frustrated because they did not make much use of territory at the end of the match and the opportunities they had.
Craig Casey got the chance to impress at scrum-half while first choice Jamison Gibson-Park returns to full fitness, and Casey impressed after a slow start. Nick Timoney of Ulster provided a great performance, while Prendergast's display at fly-half was largely positive. Asked whether the performances provided food for thought regarding selections for the rest of the window, Farrell replied: 'Definitely, 100 per cent.'
Farrell will have to assess his team before Fiji visit Dublin on 14 November. After Fiji, world champions South Africa will be a tough test before the final weekend in London.
