Farrell calls for sharper Ireland after 42-12 win over Argentina

Andy Farrell welcomed Ireland's 42-12 Nations Championship victory over Argentina on Friday but said his team still needed to become more ruthless. Hugo Keenan scored three of Ireland's six tries at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with the hosts securing a bonus point despite conceding the opening score, Reuters reported.

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Farrell said a convincing result against a strong opponent was reason for satisfaction in the first match of Ireland's autumn programme. However, he also wanted his players to build on the performance by identifying improvements and raising their standards. Ireland had established the final score well before the closing stages but did not extend their advantage.

Argentina led through Mateo Carreras after 10 minutes, the winger collecting a kick from Tomas Albornoz. Ireland replied five minutes later when work by Robert Baloucoune and Mack Hansen created Keenan's first try. According to Sky Sports' match report, Dan Sheehan then crossed before Keenan added his second, giving Ireland a 21-5 lead at the interval.

Sam Prendergast scored Ireland's fourth try early in the second half to secure the bonus point. Carreras responded with his second for Argentina, but Keenan completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute. Ronan Kelleher added Ireland's sixth try from a rolling maul. Prendergast kicked five conversions and replacement Ciaran Frawley supplied the sixth, while Argentina's Justo Piccardo and Efrain Elias both received yellow cards.

Reuters reported that Farrell's selections of Craig Casey and Nick Timoney ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park and Josh van der Flier were rewarded by their performances. Ireland also improved at the lineout after difficulties during the July fixtures. Their third lineout steal within six minutes helped produce Keenan's second try, turning disrupted Argentine possession into another scoring opportunity before the break.

Keenan's hat-trick came in his first home international for 21 months, following an injury-disrupted period. Ireland entered the weekend fourth in the competition's northern section and still have home matches against Fiji and South Africa before the finals at Twickenham. Argentina's remaining away fixtures are against Italy and France, Reuters reported.