In 2024 and 2025, Ireland opened the autumn with dispiriting defeats by the All Blacks, but Argentina were not able to offer a similarly unforgiving examination here.
But the Pumas, who arrived in Dublin with just one win in six this year, initially silenced the crowd with a beautifully worked try.
Following a patient multi-phase attack, out-half Tomas Albornoz booted to the corner, where Carreras towered above diminutive Ireland scrum-half Craig Casey to claim the ball and score.
Casey was one of the surprise Irish selections, having been picked ahead of long-time Farrell favourite Jamison Gibson-Park. To his credit, Casey shook off his mismatch with Carreras to win the turnover penalty that put Ireland on the front foot for the first time as Argentina quickly lost their early momentum.
From the resulting line-out, Ireland’s back three collectively carved Argentina open. The excellent Rob Baloucoune tore through midfield and offloaded to Hansen, who defied pressure from Bautista Delguy to send Keenan through.
Similar to Casey’s selection, the inclusion of Nick Timoney ahead of Josh van der Flier was reflective of Farrell’s intent to shake things up.
A thoroughly dependable operator, Timoney impressed at open-side flanker in the first half, turning Albornoz over before popping up in a line-out strike play to put Sheehan through for Ireland’s second.
With the Argentine set-piece already creaking, the returning Ryan Baird stole a line-out and set Ireland on their way to a third as Hansen found Keenan again for the British and Irish Lions full-back’s second.
Already trailing 21-5, Argentina’s resolve was severely tested in the closing minutes of the half.
Having lost outside centre Piccardo to a yellow card, captain Montoya failed a head injury assessment (HIA), but when his replacement Leonel Oviedo was also went withdrawn for a HIA, loose-head prop Boris Wenger was forced to fill in at hooker.
Ireland also lost Sheehan to a head knock after he was denied a second try.
