Ireland player ratings: ‘Simply brilliant’ hat-trick hero the standout but ‘transformative night’ for Sam Prendergast and some ‘robust’ forwards

Following the dominant 42-12, six tries to two win for Ireland over Argentina, here is how we rated Andy Farrell’s charges at Aviva Stadium.

Ireland player ratings v Argentina

15 Hugo Keenan: Simply brilliant. One of the eight Leinster starters, his two-try first half lit up an initially slow-burning contest. Joined the line with precision to strike on 14 minutes and was celebrating again 16 minutes later with an even better finish. While unable to prevent Mateo Carreras grounding his second score early in the second half, Keenan’s dusted himself off to quickly complete his hat-trick on 50 minutes. Was on the receiving end of the tackle for the Efrain Elias yellow. 9

14 Robert Baloucoune: His Test wilderness years are definitely behind him as this was another industrious display, 59 memorable minutes that married pulse-quickening pace with exciting aerial contest presence. It was his decision to pop up on the opposite wing that exposed the newly Shaun Edwards-coached defence, a key intervention as it meant the Pumas’ 10th-minute lead was short-lived. Is very much the Shane Horgan-type winger Ireland have been waiting an age for. 8

13 Robbie Henshaw: The first of seven Irish XV changes from the worrying loss to the All Blacks 111 days ago and the second most capped player involved, his experience was clear in the way he made those around him look very sharp all the way through. Didn’t hang about in tipping on possession and stayed connected in defence even though little traffic directly came down his channel. 7

12 Stuart McCloskey: Compared to some of his tremendous milk and honey outings of last season, this was a more subdued showing but it didn’t mean he played poorly; it was just a reflection that Argentina didn’t threaten where he was and he also had little to do on the other side of the ball. Commendably stayed alert, however, and it was his carry following a lineout that put the initial dent in the Pumas defence for the Keenan hat-trick score. 7

11 Mack Hansen: Back in the team for the first time since his first-half hat-trick blew Australia away last November, the assist he gave under pressure for the first Keenan try was class, highlighting his value in an opening half where the Irish back three topped the carrying charts. Apart from a 67th-minute carry short of the line, he was less prominent in the second period when more of the Irish attack went through the pack, but this was still a very welcome return after so long in the stands. 8

10 Sam Prendergast: Unceremoniously axed from the team in February, he impressively ratcheted up through the levels here after a summer revival. Looking bulked up and demonstrating a greater maturity, he appeared to be playing for fun and was no longer stressing over every detail. That was super to see. He wasn’t immaculate: there was a brutal cross-kick on 22 minutes, but he now fixes things on the fly, as seen with his 50:22 seven minutes later. He began the game with a dummy on halfway and Argentina didn’t heed the warning as another one resulted in him scoring 71 seconds into the second half with a superb break from the 10 metre line. Exiting on 55 minutes with Ireland commandingly 35-12 up, he enjoyed a transformative night. 9

9 Craig Casey: The most eye-catching inclusion, along with Sean Jansen, 16 weeks after a bench role in Auckland, this rare start was a premium opportunity for him to show the gap between him and the first choice Jamison-Gibson Park isn’t as vast as many people think. Departed with Prendergast 15 minutes into the second half with his job very well done, a success that was all the more commendable as he was brutally at fault for the opening Argentina try when caught in no man’s land under a cross-kick. It didn’t rattle him as he was soon helping to win a ruck penalty turnover and what followed was a snappiness best illustrated by the assist he gave to the scoring Dan Sheehan. 9

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The forwards

8 Sean Jansen: No Caelan Doris, no Jack Conan, no bother for Ireland at No.8 as the Test novice, making his first home appearance after two away caps in July, worked hard in his 47-minute contribution. He didn’t shoot out the lights like plenty of his teammates, with ball-carrying not something at the top of his to-do list, but he didn’t need to be the standout there. Slowing down the Pumas was his priority, and there was no better moment of robustness than the 20th-minute turnover penalty he won defending his own line. This one moment highlighted his promise; the challenge will be to now shift through the gears in the weekends to follow. 7

7 Nick Timoney: Enjoyed more impacts than Jansen, enhancing his reputation as an alternative to the first-choice Josh van der Flier, especially against opposition in the rugged style of the Argentines. Hit hard, as witnessed in the juddering 24th-minute collision on Carreras, he was soon exhibiting delightful footwork to threaten the line for Sheehan to score on the ruck recycle. You’d have concerns about how he would go against a side like the Springboks, but against the Pumas he was an effective operator in keeping them quiet. 8

6 Ryan Baird: Back involved for the first time since the Boks a year ago, he more than played his part in this comfortable victory. Helped to spook the Argentine lineout, with his menace exemplified in the Peter O’Mahony style front of the line steal five in the 30th minute. Reminded everyone that his engine still purrs, and as for that delicious, wristy assist for the Keenan hat-trick score, it highlighted his potential to become a long-term Ireland mainstay if he can manage to stay fit. 7

5 Tadhg Beirne: His moments weren’t as glittering as many of his teammates, but they were frequent and always had a positive influence in an on-song helping to put manners on an Argentina team that has lost its way under Felipe Contepomi. With Ireland so dominant, it would have been understandable if the last 20 minutes unravelled, especially with the yellow card for sub prop Sam Illo, but they didn’t concede, something Beirne can claim great credit for with a perfectly timed hold up over the line to finish out the collision started by Timoney. 8

4 Joe McCarthy: This was very much his attritional style of game. Reigned supreme in the maul on both sides of the ball. For evidence, check out his intervention on 33 minutes at a time when Argentina were desperately trying to make something stick. He would have known Ireland got stuck at the ruck the last time these sides played each other, with the Irish scoreless from the 32nd minute on in that 22-19 win in 2024, but there was no similar fade-out here as he helped to ensure his pack kept on delivering. 8

3 Tadhg Furlong: Back in harness after getting clear by the URC judiciary for that alleged groin grab, it was a quiet night by his legendary standards. The scrum wasn’t an important factor, but he made sure the lineout lifting and breakdown clearing were on point, which was a very decent contribution against an opposition with a nuisance reputation in those battle areas. 7

2 Dan Sheehan (c): No Leinster-type No.8 messing with his role here; he was a blockbuster of a hooker for the 36 minutes he was around for before disappearing for a HIA following a blow sustained when trying to score in the corner. He had made the line successfully 11 minutes earlier, having two carries after a lineout, and it was his smart decision to tap quickly that resulted in Justo Piccardo’s yellow for not retreating 10 metres. Tremendous value. A shame his night was cut short. 9

1 Andrew Porter: Fit-again and playing Test rugby for the first time since his scrummaging ’mare versus the Springboks a year ago, he brought first-half energy in the carry, limited Argentina’s impact with the ball, and when it came to the one scrum that stood out on the night, he won a 34th-minute penalty with Francisco Moreno collapsing. His litmus test, of course, will be the Springboks on November 21, but this was a useful return. 7

Replacements: Ireland were forced into an 11th-hour reshuffle, with Bundee Aki taking ill and Jamie Osborne becoming the 23rd man, but the bench wasn’t a result-determining factor here as the starters did their job commendably well. That said, a shout-out goes to Van der Flier for winning a breakdown turnover penalty as soon as he came on and for Ronan Kelleher finishing off a monster maul with his try. 6