Simon Zebo – 8 Had an excellent game and provided much zeal to the Irish attack. Nice grubber kick almost set Earls up, kicked on for Bowe’s second and finished calmly for his first ever Irish try.
Tommy Bowe – 8 A superb showing from Bowe as he revelled in his role as aerial attack dog. Great catch started drive for Zebo’s try and his first try was all pace, wily body positioning and power.
Keith Earls – 6 Solid game for Earls but outshone by the back three, which is no shame. Brave tackling around the ankles, showed up on the wings for attacks and set up Ireland’s seventh try.
Gordon D’Arcy – 7 His trademark, dogged defence was in full effect and he helped out his forwards by forcing turnovers. Drew in the Puma defence well for Sexton’s first try.
Craig Gilroy – 9 A first half to dream of as the winger broke tackle after tackle, worried the Argentineans all afternoon and scored a magnificent, jinking try. Great aerial claims after the break to make up for one clearance kicked out on the full.
Jonathan Sexton – 9 On of his finest outings in green. 19 point haul including two tries. He set up Gilroy and Zebo for first-half tries and a smart chip almost gave the Ulsterman a second. Misses out on a perfect 10 for kicking out on the full at the start and missing conversions but still gets my man-of-the-match.
Conor Murray – 7 Much quicker service from Murray and he chose his box kicks with prudence. Encouraging to see him trusting his own creativity and chipping through for Bowe’s first try. Strong in the tackle on the fringes.
Cian Healy – 7 The Irish front row held sway for most of the afternoon to set up multiple attacking platforms. No major breaks in the loose but carried well and did well not to react after getting a ball from Bustos straight in his Movember-loving face.
Richardt Strauss – 8 After being hobbled for large tracts of the Springbok game, Strauss was excellent in the loose during the first 40 minutes and was rewarded with a try off the back of a rolling maul. One crooked lineout throw dwarfed by at least 10 accurate darts.
Mike Ross – 6 A steady game from Ross without ever mincing his opposite number. The Cork native will be pleased with his outing and the scrum that earned Sexton and 43rd minute penalty.
Donnacha Ryan – 9 A brawny day’s work by Ryan. He was heavily involved in the tries of Strauss and Sexton either side of half-time and did well to haul down Landarjo as he sprinted to the Irish tryline on 29 minutes.
Donnacha Ryan celebrates Richardt Strauss’ try in the corner. (©INPHO/James Crombie)
Mike McCarthy – 6 Not as visible as he was against the Springboks but put his body on the line against a big Argentinean front eight and was on the receiving end of many a back-slap from his teammates. Eager in defence as Argentina pressed late in the first half.
Peter O’Mahony – 7 His best game yet for Ireland. Tackled in tandem with Ryan and won some fine turnover possession. Was whistled by referee Peyper twice during the match but was a true, physical presence in a successful back row.
Chris Henry – 8 Came in for praise from Declan Kidney after the match and, along with Ryan, was a key figure in securing go-forward ball for his team. In with a good shout to retain the jersey even if Sean O’Brien comes back into the side.
Jamie Heaslip – 7 Drove his teammates on all afternoon and did most of his best work on the turf as he recognised the damage the backline was doing. Directed the drive for Strauss’ try.
Replacements
Michael Bent 6 – Scrummed well upon his introduction for Ross but could not stop the Pumas’ late push for tries.
Donncha O’Callaghan – 6 Contributed to the lineout dominance when he came on.
Iain Henderson, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Fergus McFadden, Sean Cronin and Dave Kilcoyne – All arrived with between eight and five minutes to go but not on long enough to rate.
As it happened: Ireland v Argentina, November Tests
Match report: Seven-try Ireland rout Argentina
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