Farrell: 'Some outstanding, really clinical stuff'

A delighted Andy Farrell praised "some really clinical stuff" from his side's attack as they hammered Argentina 42-12 at Aviva Stadium.

Three tries in each half, including a Hugo Keenan hat-trick, saw them breeze past an indisciplined Pumas side, as they started their run of home Nations Championship games with a bonus-point win.

The 30-point margin perhaps could have been greater, as Ireland took their foot off the pedal in the final 20 minutes when the result had long been decided.

And while Farrell admitted his team "missed a chance to be ruthless", he was pleased with how they went about their business when the game was actually in the balance.

"Obviously, the scoreline is a good one because not many teams do that to Argentina. They're a very good side and a dangerous side," Farrell said.

"We saw that certainly at times, we fought hard to scramble back, so the 12 points [conceded] is very pleasing.

"The 42, six tries, I thought some outstanding stuff, some really clinical stuff. But I think the story of the game is we missed a chance to be ruthless.

"Having said that, the opportunities that we did have in the right parts of the field showed the dominance as far as field position and territory.

"So, for a hit out, first up, international game, a big one at that. For us, playing at home, it's a good day."

While there was a yellow card in the second half for Sam Illo, discipline was a big positive overall with just six penalties conceded, compared to Argentina's 14.

And they combined that platform with an impressive setpiece attack, which provided contributed to each of their six tries.

Their set-piece defence was also a major strength, reducing the Pumas to a 58% return from their 12 throws, with Ryan Baird giving a masterclass in lineout defence.

The versatile forward missed the Six Nations and summer Nations Championship games, and Farrell was quick to praise his impact on his return to action.

"I said to you [on Wednesday] that he's obsessed with his set-piece stuff, obviously, the lineout.

"He's been a leader for us in the defensive lineout for a while now. But he's certainly progressing as well as far as he's done some calling lately, obviously with Leinster.

"So, he's a fantastic lineout forward and it makes a massive difference, stealing ball, but some of his stuff in general play was pretty good as well.

"For the likes of him, Hugo Keenan, Ports [Andrew Porter] and Mack [Hansen], they've all been out for a while in international rugby.

"I thought it was immense, them coming back into the fold and showing everyone what we've missed," he added.

The Ireland head coach will be expected to make some changes for next week's meeting with Fiji, not least with several players forced off against the Pumas due to injury.

Captain Dan Sheehan (above) left before half time with a head injury, while Sean Jansen and Rob Baloucoune both limped out in the second half, and Mack Hansen and Josh van der Flier played on with knocks.

But Farrell was pleased with the way his side started the campaign, as they looked vastly improved on their summer tour.

"And that's exactly what you're after, isn't it?," he said.

"Going into next week, match two of the international calendar for us, having some good competition. We've had that for the last 10 days within training, so how they performed highlights how they have been training, etc.

"So, yeah, whatever side we pick next week, they'll be competing to play the following week."