Hugo Keenan's Hat-Trick Fires Ireland to 42-12 Rout of Argentina

Hugo Keenan scored a hat-trick as Ireland opened the November leg of the Nations Championship with a commanding 42-12 bonus-point victory over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday, 6 November 2026.

The full-back crossed three times in a six-try Irish display, while captain Dan Sheehan, fly-half Sam Prendergast and replacement hooker Rónan Kelleher also touched down. Argentina, who had stunned the British and Irish Lions at the same ground on their last visit to Dublin, led early through Mateo Carreras but were ultimately outplayed, and head coach Andy Farrell still demanded more from his side afterwards.

Ireland led 21-5 at half-time and had the bonus point secured less than two minutes into the second half.

A fast start after an early scare

Argentina struck first, and in style. Tomás Albornoz floated an inch-perfect kick-pass over the head of scrum-half Craig Casey, and Carreras soared to collect it and dot down in the tenth minute to stun the home crowd.

Ireland's response was swift and clinical. A counter-ruck led by Casey earned territory, and a sweeping backline move involving Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen sent Keenan over for the equaliser within five minutes. Prendergast converted, and the hosts never looked back.

The Irish forwards then took control. Flanker Nick Timoney won a breakdown penalty on his own try-line to halt a Pumas surge, Tadhg Beirne stole an Argentina lineout, and Timoney won another breakdown penalty near halfway. From the resulting lineout, Sheehan played a blind inside ball for Timoney to charge forward, and quick service from Casey sent the captain over for a 14-5 lead.

Keenan added his second try five minutes later, battling his way over past several Argentina defenders after Ryan Baird had won another lineout steal. Prendergast's conversion made it 21-5, and the Pumas' problems deepened when centre Justo Piccardo was sent to the sin-bin for a cynical penalty after failing to retreat ten metres from a Sheehan quick tap.

Argentina's set-piece was creaking, their discipline was fraying, and Ireland were turning almost every visit to the Argentine 22 into points.

Keenan completes the treble

The bonus point arrived less than two minutes after the restart. Prendergast threw a dummy that bought Marcos Kremer completely and raced in from deep for his maiden international try, adding to five successful conversions on the night.

Argentina hit back within four minutes, when centre Santiago Chocobares made the key break and Carreras powered over past Keenan for his second try. It proved only a brief interruption. Beirne won another trademark breakdown penalty deep in Argentina territory, quick hands from Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Baird created space, and Keenan dived over to complete his hat-trick.

Planet Rugby rated Keenan's performance as outstanding, crediting him with 106 metres carried and four clean breaks alongside his three tries. He was quick to share the credit afterwards.

"I was at the end of three good plays," Keenan said. "It's been 21 months since I've been here in green and it's been tough watching on. I'm just delighted to be out here and wanting to make this brilliant crowd proud."

Discipline costs the Pumas

Argentina's ill-discipline proved costly all evening. With Baird continuing to cause havoc at the Argentina lineout, the visitors were reduced to 14 players again when replacement lock Efraín Elias caught Keenan high in a shoulder-to-head tackle.

From the very next lineout, Ireland built a driving maul that marched forward at pace, and Kelleher finished it for the sixth try of the night. Replacement Ciaran Frawley's conversion brought Ireland to their eventual 42-12 scoreline, and Farrell's side could have scored more in the closing stages, with Hansen showing sensational skill but coming up short on two occasions.

Referee Luke Pearce had a busy evening, and Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi will know his side's set-piece and defence came apart after a bright opening quarter. Their lineout faltered, their tackling slipped, and two yellow cards left them chasing the game. Ireland, by contrast, were dominant in territory and clinical when it mattered.

Farrell wants more ruthlessness

Farrell was delighted with the win but warned his players that sterner tests are coming. "First and foremost, delighted to get the win and a good win at that. Six tries to two says a lot," the Ireland head coach said. "How we can be a bit more ruthless is a lesson to take, because that's the team we want to be."

Beirne struck a similar note, describing Ireland as very good in patches and warning that there was plenty still to improve. "We were very good in patches, and some of the tries we scored were proper team tries," Beirne said. "We'll be walking away from that game thinking we could have got a lot more out of it."

The result was Ireland's third win from four matches in the Nations Championship, after summer successes against Australia and Japan were followed by defeat against New Zealand. Ireland began the weekend in fourth place in the northern section of the new tournament, and this emphatic victory strengthens their position before the finals weekend at Twickenham.

What comes next

Ireland face Fiji at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 14 November, before South Africa visit Dublin on Saturday, 21 November. Argentina travel to face Italy in Genoa on 14 November, looking to repair a set-piece and a defensive display that unravelled in Dublin.

For Farrell, the message is clear: the foundations are strong and a fit-again Keenan is back where he belongs. The challenge now is turning a 30-point win into the ruthless consistency the autumn's biggest fixtures will demand.