Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 as Keenan scores hat-trick

Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, scoring six tries to the visitors’ two in a match marked by Hugo Keenan’s hat-trick. The win came in the Nations Championship, with Ireland pulling clear after Argentina opened the scoring through Mateo Carreras. Carreras crossed first, but Ireland responded with a try from Keenan, who scored twice in the first half. Dan Sheehan added another for the hosts after Nick Timoney’s powerful carry helped create the opportunity. Ryan Baird then won a lineout and set up Keenan’s second try, giving Ireland a 21-5 lead. Ireland extended the advantage early in the second half. Sam Prendergast broke through Argentina’s defence to score, before Carreras crossed for his second try. Keenan completed his hat-trick soon afterward, finishing a move involving Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Baird. Replacement hooker Rónan Kelleher scored from a maul after Argentina’s Efrain Elias was sent to the sin bin, taking the score to 42-12. Keenan’s three tries were the match’s leading individual scoring return. Prendergast contributed a second-half try and kicked all six of Ireland’s conversions, according to one match account. The back three,...