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Keenan hat-trick leads six-try Ireland to 42–12 win over Argentina

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AI-generated illustration of an unbranded oval rugby ball beside a white try line on an empty floodlit pitch.

AI-generated illustration.

Hugo Keenan scored a hat-trick as Ireland beat Argentina 42–12 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 6 November, securing a bonus-point win in the Nations Championship. The hosts scored six tries to two as the competition’s northern hemisphere series began in Dublin.

Dan Sheehan, Sam Prendergast and replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher added Ireland’s other tries. Prendergast converted five scores and Ciaran Frawley supplied the remaining conversion, while Mateo Carreras scored both of Argentina’s tries.

The visitors struck first when Carreras collected a crossfield kick from Tomas Albornoz, but Ireland soon took control. Keenan finished their opening try after Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen helped create space, with Prendergast’s conversion putting the home side 7–5 ahead.

Sheehan then scored from close range after Nick Timoney had driven towards the line. Keenan’s second followed another disruption of Argentina’s lineout, and Ireland reached half-time with a 21–5 advantage.

Prendergast extended that lead almost immediately after the restart, breaking through for the fourth try that secured the bonus point. Carreras responded with his second, converted by Albornoz, before Keenan completed his treble following an exchange of passes among Ireland’s forwards.

Argentina lost centre Justo Piccardo and replacement lock Efraín Elías to yellow cards in separate halves. Ireland used a driving maul to send Kelleher over for their sixth try, and Frawley’s kick completed the scoring with more than 20 minutes still to play.

The set piece and breakdown repeatedly provided Ireland with opportunities to attack, with Ryan Baird disrupting the visitors’ lineout and Timoney winning important penalties. Argentina were unable to add to their two tries during the closing stages.

Ireland next host Fiji on Saturday, 14 November at 20:10 GMT, before facing South Africa a week later. Argentina travel to Genoa to play Italy on 14 November.

Sources

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