Ireland survive Argentina comeback to get back on track

DUBLIN :Ireland survived a fierce second half comeback from Argentina to narrowly defeat the Pumas 22-19 at the Aviva Stadium on Friday and just about bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to New Zealand.

Ireland led 22-9 at halftime after ruthlessly punishing an early Argentina yellow card with two tries in the first seven minutes from Jack Crowley and Mack Hansen. Joe McCarthy added a third after Tomas Albornoz had kept the visitors in touch.

A very different Argentina side emerged after the break with Juan Cruz Mallia slicing the hosts open and Albornoz cutting the lead to just three points before Ireland composed themselves, in no small part thanks to an impressive debut off the bench from 21-year-old flyhalf Sam Prendergast to hang on.

"I think there was a bit of a extra pressure on some of us based on our performances last week," Ireland captain Caelan Doris said in a pitchside interview, referring to the error-filled 23-13 loss to the All Blacks.

"We felt we started well but their quality showed in the second half. It definitely tested the resilience, tested our fitness and our mental fortitude."

The in-form Pumas came to Dublin fancying their chance of a first win on Irish soil in their 11th attempt but immediately dug themselves into a hole when centre Matias Moroni was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Ireland flyhalf Crowley.

It was Crowley who sidestepped his way to open the scoring within a minute and the hosts further exploited the wide open spaces when a searing break from Garry Ringrose break opened things up to hand the easiest of finishes to wing Hansen.

The almost wholly unchanged Irish side were showing the kind of attacking intent sorely missing last week when they were dominated by the