Ireland 42–12 Argentina: Keenan hat-trick leads six-try Nations Championship win in Dublin
Ireland ran in six tries to beat Argentina 42–12 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night in the Nations Championship, a bonus-point win built on a Hugo Keenan hat-trick. Argentina scored first through Mateo Carreras, but Keenan crossed either side of a Dan Sheehan try to put Ireland 21–5 up by half-time; Sam Prendergast's first international try, Keenan's third and Ronan Kelleher's finish completed the scoring, with Carreras adding his second for the visitors. It is Ireland's third win in four in the competition, and Argentina's twelfth defeat in twelve visits to Dublin.
Key points
- Ireland beat Argentina 42–12 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night in the Nations Championship — six tries to two, with a bonus point.
- Hugo Keenan scored a hat-trick (15, 30, 50) in his first home Test since March last year and was player of the match.
- Dan Sheehan, Sam Prendergast (his first international try) and Ronan Kelleher scored Ireland's other tries; Mateo Carreras scored both of Argentina's.
- Argentina have never won in Dublin — twelve visits, twelve defeats.
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Video: World Rugby · Watch on YouTube
What happened
Argentina startled the Aviva first — Carreras gathering Tomas Albornoz's cross-kick to score on 10 minutes — but the lead lasted five minutes. Keenan crossed either side of captain Dan Sheehan's try to make it 21–5 by the break, Prendergast's first international try secured the bonus point just after half-time, and Keenan's third and Kelleher's finish closed a six-try night. Ireland next host Fiji on 14 November; Argentina travel to Italy.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedIreland beat Argentina 42–12 in a Nations Championship match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on Friday 6 November 2026 — a bonus-point victory, Ireland's third win in four matches in the competition.Reuters — Keenan hat-trick helps Ireland thrash Argentina 42-12 (6 Nov 2026; read via search in this run) · Sky Sports — Ireland 42-12 Argentina score summary (6 Nov 2026; read via search in this run)
- ✓ VerifiedIreland scored six tries: Hugo Keenan three (15, 30, 50), Dan Sheehan, Sam Prendergast — his first international try, with five conversions — and Ronan Kelleher, with Ciaran Frawley converting the last. Argentina's two tries came from Mateo Carreras, the first of them opening the scoring; Ireland led 21–5 at half-time.Sky Sports — Ireland 42-12 Argentina score summary (6 Nov 2026; read via search in this run) · PA report via rugby.com.au — Hugo Keenan treble leads Ireland to rout of Argentina (7 Nov 2026; read via search in this run)
- ✓ VerifiedArgentina have never won away to Ireland — this was their twelfth defeat in Dublin in twelve visits — while Ireland's earlier Nations Championship results were wins over Australia and Japan and a defeat by New Zealand.Reuters — Keenan hat-trick helps Ireland thrash Argentina 42-12 (6 Nov 2026; read via search in this run) · PA report via rugby.com.au (7 Nov 2026; read via search in this run)
- ✓ VerifiedHead coach Andy Farrell challenged Ireland to be more ruthless despite the margin, saying his side missed chances to inflict more damage; player of the match Keenan, in his first home Test since March last year, said it had been tough watching on during his time away.PA report — Andy Farrell wants more from Ireland despite big win over Argentina (6 Nov 2026; read via search in this run)