Player Ratings: Ireland

OPINION: Bitter Test rivals Ireland and Argentina met again at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations Championship, a fixture that has typically been a needle-y affair for Andy Farrell’s outfit.

An early Pumas try aside, Ireland were for the most part comfortable here against their bogey team, and at times the ball-handling was as good as we’ve seen from this team; the men in green proving good value for this 42-12 win.

15. Hugo Keenan – 9
Has been in fine early-season form for Leinster, and he brought that into this contest. Was on the end of a sweeping Irish attack that finally got the home side on the scoreboard after 15 minutes. Had his second on 29 minutes after a mazy inside line that beat two defenders before wrestling his way to the ground. Finished off the hat-trick on 49 minutes.

14. Robert Baloucoune – 7
Strong under the high ball, although found himself out of position defensively during a few light blue attacks. Great outside line break in the lead-up to Keenan’s try. Made another telling break up the right edge but couldn’t quite get his arms out of contact to get the pass away.

13. Rob Henshaw – 6
At times, in the first half especially, Ireland’s midfield partnership was stretched, but it never quite broke. A very typical Henshaw effort: as honest as the day is long but, other than a 62-minute chip and chase, lacking much to get excited about.

12. Stuart McCloskey – 6.5
As with Henshaw, didn’t have too many chances to shine in attack, unable to bring any of the no-nonsense ball-carrying the Ulsterman is known for. Generally added value in the few cameos he did have in attack.

11. Mack Hansen – 7
Making his first Ireland appearance in a year, Hansen was up for it, engaging in running skirmishes with the Argies. Threw the assist for Keenan’s try and did his best to pop up around the field where he could, one chip-and-collect on 65 minutes standing out.

10. Sam Prendergast – 8.5
Tested Los Pumas early with his considerable box of tricks, delivering a cultured evening of entertainment with his boot. Barely a minute had passed of the second half when he opened up Argentina’s midfield with a show-and-go, before having the gas to run it in from 40 metres out. A couple of missed tackles, but not enough to take the shine off a superb outing.

9. Craig Casey – 8
An eye-catching selection with a clear eye for a JGP succession plan. What exactly he was doing on the wing for the Carreras cross-field kick try is hard to fathom. Made up for that effort with a terrific counter-ruck on 13 minutes to win back possession and, one missed tackle on Mateo Carreras aside, went on to have maybe his best performance to date in an Ireland jersey. Crisp service, tempo and plenty of classy decision-making.

1. Andrew Porter – 7.5
Some decent moments in the loose and actually led Ireland’s tackle count for most of the game. Held his own at scrum time against all 147kg of Francisco Moreno, who frankly looks like he hasn’t been worrying many salads of late.

2. Dan Sheehan – 8.5
Scored Ireland’s second try after he started a move with an up-the-guts line and deft offload, only to crash over after the ball was recycled ten seconds later. Nearly had a second but for a foot in touch. Went off at 35 minutes for a HIA and didn’t return.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 7
Started strongly against the compact Boris Wenger, the Argentinian looking increasingly beleaguered as the game wore on.

4. Joe McCarthy – 7.5
Got into the game early with a strong carry and went on to beat five defenders in the first forty alone. Emptied the tank before going off at 57 minutes.

5. Tadhg Beirne – 6
His first half was on the quiet side and he was pickpocketed by Marcos Kremer at a lineout as half-time approached. Generally looked off the pace in the loose in what was an uncharacteristically subdued night’s work from the normally excellent Munsterman.

6. Ryan Baird – 7
Missed a midfield tackle that saw the visitors make a 35-metre break down the right flank. Showed exceptional hands to put Keenan away for his hat-trick and got through plenty of work.

7. Nick Timoney – 8
Delivered a huge hit on 12 minutes that brought him into the game and would go on to repeat the trick several more times. Won a breakdown penalty on 23 minutes that earned Ireland some rare territory and nearly got over the line a minute later but for a last-ditch Argentinian tackle. A real physical menace.

8. Sean Jansen – 6.5
With Caelan Doris and Jack Conan sans combat, this was Jansen’s moment in the shop window. Great steal on 20 minutes but generally got little change out of Los Pumas in the contact zone and looked a little worse for wear after an off-the-ball hit by Pedro Rubiolo. Maybe not quite the audition he was looking for, but far from bad.

Replacements – 6
Ronan Kelleher duffed his first lineout throw after coming on as HIA cover for Sheehan but went on to score the try that well and truly ended the contest. Ciaran Frawley got a 20-minute window to show what he could do at ten. Rookie prop Sam Illo had a strong showing too. Josh van der Flier seemed to pick up an injury late in the game.