Argentina Los Pumas Ireland Nations Championship Dublin, Digi Mart USA News (Dublin, Ireland): Los Pumas lost 21-5 to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, in the opening match of the second stage of the Rugby Nations Championship. The match was refereed by English official Luke Pearce and was available live on ESPN 2 and on the Disney+ streaming platform with its premium plan.
Argentina took the early lead in the 10th minute with a spectacular try by Mateo Carreras, who collected a kick-pass from Tomás Albornoz on the left wing and caught the ball in the air to score. Ireland responded in the 15th minute with a flowing passing move that ended with a try by Hugo Keenan after an assist from Mack Hansen.
Sam Prendergast’s conversion gave the home side a 7-5 lead.
Los Pumas began to lose their rhythm and could not contain a second Irish attack, which extended the lead with another try in the 24th minute. Dan Sheehan exploited a gap in the Argentine defense and touched down in the in-goal area.
Prendergast converted, making it 14-5 at that stage in Dublin.
Approaching the end of the first half, Ireland scored their third try of the match after an Argentine error at the lineout. Keenan again used his physical power to break through three defenders and score without difficulty.
Prendergast converted, and the hosts led 21-5 at the break.
In the 33rd minute, Los Pumas were reduced to 14 players after Justo Piccardo received a yellow card. Leonel Oviedo also replaced Julián Montoya under the head injury protocol after a blow to the head.
Before the match, coach Felipe Contepomi confirmed the starting lineup, with Pablo Matera returning at number eight after an absence from the team during 2026. Matera, who has 127 caps for Argentina, was named one of the two vice-captains alongside Juan Cruz Mallía.
Julián Montoya captained the side in his 120th appearance for Argentina. Five players were set to make their first test appearance of the year, including Pedro Rubiolo, Juan Martín González, Santiago Chocobares and Mallía, while Joel Sclavi was to enter from the bench.
Contepomi was without Santiago Carreras and Thomas Gallo, both sidelined by injury. Ireland coach Andy Farrell recovered Sam Prendergast, who had been doubtful, but did not have Caelan Doris, Jack Conan or Jack Crowley available.
Ireland came into the match after a break of several months, having last played in the Six Nations, where they beat Scotland 43-21 to extend a run of four consecutive wins.
Argentina’s previous results included a 28-28 draw with Australia in Mendoza in September and a 31-24 defeat to England in Santiago del Estero in the competition. Ireland holds a clear advantage in the head-to-head record, with 16 wins to Argentina’s eight and one draw in 25 meetings since 1952.
Argentina’s last win over Ireland came in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in England, when they won 43-20 and advanced to the semi-finals. In their most recent meeting, in November 2024, Ireland won 22-19 in Dublin.
Following Friday’s match, Los Pumas will close the regular phase of the Nations Championship with consecutive games against Italy and France.
