Ireland run riot against Argentina in emphatic Nations Championship victory

It was a tough day at the office for the Pumas, who repeatedly fell foul of referee Luke Pearce's whistle while also compounding their problems with a series of unforced errors. Ireland, in contrast, were clinical in both attack and defence and frequently made the most of their opportunities.

Argentina started well, opening the scoring after 10 minutes when Santiago Carreras finished in the corner following a superb cross-field kick from Tomas Albornoz.

Ireland responded almost immediately, however, with a superb attacking move culminating in a try for Hugo Keenan, helped by a superb inside offload from Mack Hansen.

The Irish began to take control as the half progressed, with Dan Sheehan extending their advantage in the 25th minute, before Keenan grabbed his second five minutes later as Ireland punished another Argentine lineout malfunction to make it 21-5.

Argentina's afternoon deteriorated further before the break when Pedro Rubiolo's replacement, Efrain El Piccardo, was shown a yellow card.

Ireland made them pay early in the second half, with Sam Prendergast racing through from deep to score their bonus-point try.

Argentina responded four minutes later through Carreras, who powered his way over after a telling break from centre Santiago Chocobares. Albornoz converted to reduce the deficit to 28-12, but that would be as good as it got for the visitors.

Any hopes of a comeback quickly evaporated when Keenan completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute after excellent work from Tadhg Beirne at the breakdown. Prendergast converted before Ireland struck again just five minutes later.

This time, it was replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher who benefited, after a well-constructed lineout maul carried the hosts over the try-line. Harry Frawley added the extras to make it 42-12, and although Argentina continued to battle, Ireland had already done more than enough to secure an emphatic victory.

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