Sport news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Six tries and a big win – but were Ireland ruthless?
Ireland opened their November campaign with a 42-12 win over Argentina in Dublin, scoring six tries despite conceding an early score. The result matters as Andy Farrell’s side build towards next year’s World Cup, but the head coach said Ireland had missed chances to be more ruthless.
Hugo Keenan scored a hat-trick, with Dan Sheehan, Sam Prendergast and Ronan Kelleher also crossing. Ireland held 59% of the territory but did not score after the 55th minute; several players, including Sheehan, Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen, also raised injury concerns ahead of Fiji’s visit on 14 November.
In short
- Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 in Dublin.
- Hugo Keenan scored three of Ireland’s six tries.
- Farrell wants Ireland to make more of their attacking chances.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ireland’s six tries and 30-point margin show a strong start to the campaign, with Keenan’s hat-trick and contributions across the team suggesting real attacking threat. Farrell’s concern about missed chances is reasonable: against tougher opposition, turning territorial control into points for the full match could matter as Ireland prepare for the World Cup.
The case against
A 42-12 win is a substantial result, and Ireland’s attack produced six tries despite conceding first. The late scoring drought may reflect the match’s flow rather than a failure of ruthlessness; with injuries emerging and Fiji due to visit, managing players and securing the win could reasonably take priority over chasing a larger margin.