Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 as Keenan scores three tries

Ireland defeated Argentina 42-12 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday, opening its Nations Championship campaign with six tries, including a hat-trick by fullback Hugo Keenan. The result put Ireland top of the Northern Hemisphere standings ahead of the other weekend matches.

Argentina struck first through Mateo Carreras in the 11th minute, but Ireland replied through Keenan after a move involving Rob Baloucoune and Mack Hansen. Dan Sheehan added the hosts’ second try, and Keenan scored again before halftime to give Ireland a 21-5 lead.

Sam Prendergast scored shortly after the break, running through the Argentina defence for his first international try. Carreras crossed for his second, but Keenan completed his hat-trick and replacement hooker Ronán Kelleher added Ireland’s sixth try. Prendergast kicked five conversions, with Ciaran Frawley converting Kelleher’s score.

Argentina’s task was complicated by yellow cards for Justo Piccardo and replacement Efrain Elias. Captain Julián Montoya left the match after a head injury assessment in the first half. Ireland had also lost Sheehan to a head injury assessment before the break; coach Andy Farrell said afterward that the hooker seemed fine.