Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 as Sheehan exits and injuries mount

Ireland beat Argentina 42-12 in Dublin on Friday, with Hugo Keenan scoring three of their six tries, but the victory brought several injury concerns for head coach Andy Farrell. BBC Sport reported that captain Dan Sheehan failed a head injury assessment and left the field in the first half of the Nations Championship match.

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Robert Baloucoune also came off after taking a knock, while Sean Jansen suffered a blow to his knee. Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen had ankle concerns, although Hansen continued playing after treatment. Farrell said Sheehan appeared fine in the dressing room, but the report did not establish when any of the affected players would be available again.

Argentina had struck first through Mateo Carreras before Ireland turned the match around. Keenan's opening try followed a move involving both of his fellow back-three players: Baloucoune broke into space and passed to Hansen, who supplied the full-back. Alongside Keenan's hat-trick, Sheehan, Sam Prendergast and Ronan Kelleher each scored a try as the hosts built a decisive advantage.

Despite the 30-point margin, Farrell felt Ireland had not made enough of their opportunities. BBC Sport reported that they enjoyed 59% of the territory and more possession than Argentina, yet did not score again after Kelleher finished a rolling maul in the 55th minute. Farrell praised parts of the performance while saying his side had missed an opportunity to turn their dominance into further points.

Tadhg Beirne offered a similar assessment. The second row said Ireland had dealt with Argentina's strong start and then established the approach they wanted, highlighting tries that involved contributions from across the team. He nevertheless described frustration at chances left unconverted and territory that did not produce more scores late in the game, even with the result already heavily in Ireland's favour.

Farrell must now assess his squad before Fiji visit Dublin on 14 November, with South Africa also to come before the finals weekend in London. Craig Casey had been given a start at scrum-half as Jamison Gibson-Park worked back towards full fitness. Asked whether the performances had strengthened his selection options for the remaining matches, Farrell said they had, welcoming competition for places within the squad.