Here we go. All eyes on Aviva Stadium, where Ireland host Argentina under Friday Night Lights.

Excitement is building as Andy Farrell’s side return to Nations Championship action against Los Pumas.

Kick-off is at 8.10pm, with the action live on Virgin Media One. 

We’ll do our best to keep you up to date here, while Murray Kinsella and Ciarán Kennedy will have their usual extensive coverage from Lansdowne Road.

Stick with us on The 42, and get involved!

Team News

There’s a change to Andy Farrell’s matchday squad, with Bundee Aki ruled out due to illness and Jamie Osborne joining the replacements in his absence.

A change to tonight's team. https://t.co/QeQbFLvJ8U

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 6, 2026

Here’s the Ireland team, contingent on no other late changes.

Farrell has handed Nick Timoney and Craig Casey big starting chances at openside and scrum-half respectively. Sam Prendergast is fit to start at 10, while Sean Jansen makes just his second Test start at number eight.

Dan Sheehan captains the side from hooker, while Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird and Mack Hansen return to the green jersey after injury spells.

Ireland

• 15. Hugo Keenan
• 14. Robert Baloucoune
• 13. Robbie Henshaw
• 12. Stuart McCloskey
• 11. Mack Hansen
• 10. Sam Prendergast
• 9. Craig Casey
• 1. Andrew Porter
• 2. Dan Sheehan (captain)
• 3. Tadhg Furlong
• 4. Joe McCarthy
• 5. Tadhg Beirne
• 6. Ryan Baird
• 7. Nick Timoney
• 8. Sean Jansen

Replacements:

• 16. Rónan Kelleher
• 17. Tom O’Toole
• 18. Sam Illo
• 19. James Ryan
• 20. Josh van der Flier
• 21. Jamison Gibson-Park
• 22. Ciarán Frawley
• 23. Jamie Osborne

And here’s the Argentina side targetting their first win over Ireland on Irish soil.

Argentina

• 15. Juan Cruz Mallía
• 14. Bautista Delguy
• 13. Justo Piccardo
• 12. Santiago Chocobares
• 11. Matteo Carreras
• 10. Tomás Albornoz
• 9. Gonzalo García
• 1. Boris Wenger
• 2. Julián Montoya (captain)
• 3. Francisco Moreno
• 4. Guido Petti
• 5. Pedro Rubiolo
• 6. Juan Martín González
• 7. Marcos Kremer
• 8. Pablo Matera.

Replacements:

• 16. Leonel Oviedo
• 17. Mayco Vivas
• 18. Joel Sclavi
• 19. Efraín Elias
• 20. Juan Martín Scelzo
• 21. Símon Benítez Cruz
• 22. Gerónimo Prisciantelli
• 23. Lucio Cinti.

The fans are ready…

Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO

Reunions all round!

Johnny Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll share a joke. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Andrew Goodman with Felipe Contepomi. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Contepomi with Sexton and Goodman. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland have never lost to Argentina on Irish soil, so they’ll be determined to extend that streak to 12 games. The Pumas can be slow out of the blocks when they regather from their clubs around the world. 

Ireland are viewed as 10-point favourites in some quarters, and Farrell would love to see his side open up, but Los Pumas will be looking for something akin to their thrilling win over the Lions at the Aviva in 2025.

You can read Murray Kinsella’s preview here, and there’s loads more pre-match reading on The 42 if you find time before kick-off.

Just under 10 minutes to go. Time to call it.

How will tonight’s Nations Championship game go?

A huge round of applause at Aviva Stadium as the late Ciara Mageean is remembered before kick-off. Tributes also paid to former IRFU CEO Philip Browne, former Ireland and Lions back-row Fergus Slattery and former Ireland and Munster prop Phil O’Callaghan.

Anthems all complete, referee is Luke Pearce of England, here we go!

KICK-OFF! Tomas Albornoz gets us underway.

Ireland 0-0 Argentina 

2 mins – Ireland settle well and put some nice phases together, but Prendergast’s high kick gives the impetus to Argentina, who look threatening on the counter after some over and back. 

Ireland 0-0 Argentina 

5 mins – We have our first scrum of the night as Argentina spill their own lineout, just inside the Irish half. Craig Casey never really gets an opportunity to put the ball in, and Ireland are on their way once more.

Ireland 0-0 Argentina 

7 mins – Prendergast again goes to the sky, and Santiago Carreras wins the aerial battle against Hugo Keenan. More over and back thereafter, with kick tennis an early theme. Ireland penalised for impeding at the breakdown, and the visitors find touch on the Irish 22. Cagey opening, with a little bit of needle as Mack Hansen is involved in a scuffle.

Ireland 0-0 Argentina 

9 mins – Argentina get away from the line out but Ireland defend well and they succumb to the pressure, with Bautista Delguy knocking on. The danger is far from clear yet…

TRY! Ireland 0-5 Argentina (Matteo Carreras, 10 mins)

Argentina go again, and strike first through Carreras. It’s all about the sublime cross-field kick from Tomás Albornoz, and Carreras out jumps Casey for an easy finish. 

No conversion, 5-0 Argentina.

Mateo Carreras strikes first! 🇦🇷 The winger rises above Craig Casey to gather a pinpoint cross-field kick from Tomás Albornoz and score. The conversion is missed. 10 mins: Ireland 0-5 Argentina #VMsport #Nationschampionship #IREVARG https://t.co/Fn4eJ5sP5w

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 6, 2026

Ireland 0-5 Argentina 

12 mins – A disappointing start for Ireland, who look to bounce back quickly. Brilliant counter-rucking could help provide the platform.

TRY! Ireland 5-5 Argentina (Hugo Keenan, 15 mins)

Superb try for Ireland off the set piece, brilliant response. 

Robert Baloucoune sets it up with his electric speed, dancing through the Argentinian defence and finding Hansen out wide left. Mack knocks it back to Keenan, who powers over to score in his fourth consecutive game for Ireland. 

Prendergast adds the extras, and Ireland lead 7-5.

Baloucoune - Hansen - Keenan! The Irish back three connects. Superb offloads from Baloucoune and Hansen. That was beautiful.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 6, 2026

Here it is…

Ireland hit back with a superb team try! ☘️ Prendergast’s looping run frees Baloucoune, whose floated pass finds Hansen. He sends Hugo Keenan over to finish a flowing Irish move. #VMsport #Nationschampionship #IREVARG https://t.co/dYWJe1r0oB

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 6, 2026

Ireland 7-5 Argentina 

18 mins - Ireland are hungry for more, but there’s a break in play for treatment for an Argentinian player. Stats flash up on the screen on Virgin Media – Ireland with 19 carries to the Pumas’ 17, one metre more gained.

Ireland 7-5 Argentina 

20 mins – Huge turnover from Sean Jansen as a second Argentina try looks imminent. Poor discipline let Ireland down again, penalised for turning the ball in contatct and the latest Argentina attack following suit. Huge cheer as Jansen wins the penalty to clear the lines.

Ireland 7-5 Argentina 

24 mins – Prendergast invites the pressure back on Ireland, kicking straight to Carreras. The hosts are up against it again, but Tadhg Beirne ‘s line out steal and Nick Timoney’s turnover prove crucial.

TRY! Ireland 12-5 Argentina (Dan Sheehan, 25 mins) 

Two visits to the Argentina 22, two tries.

It all comes from the line out, with Sheehan starting and finishing the move. Good work from Baird and Timoney, and the hooker crashes over. 

Predergast converts, 14-5.

Ireland 14-5 Argentina 

28 mins – Ireland look to hammer the hammer, with Baloucoune’s pace causing serious problems and Argentina under the cosh. Prendergast steps up with a sublime kick, finding touch on the 5m line. Argentina lose their captain Julian Montoya to a HIA.

TRY! Ireland 19-5 Argentina (Hugo Keenan, 29 mins)

Two for Keenan, three for Ireland! Andy Farrell’s side have really cut loose since that early setback. 

Baird steals the line out – set up by that brilliant Prendergast kick – and Hansen and Keenan combine to good effect once more.

Slight delay to confirm but all is good, and Prendergast adds the extras from close range. 21-5.

Ireland 21-5 Argentina

32 mins - Prendergast and Casey with superb kicks to find touch, and put the Argentina defence – which is at sixes and sevens – under more and more pressure. They are pinned right back, gasping for air.

Ireland 21-5 Argentina

33 mins – From line out to scrum, Ireland keep threatening and asking questions. 

Big blow for Argentina as Montoya fails his HIA – and another: Piccardo has just been sin-binned for continued ill discipline. Argentina have conceded six penalties to Ireland’s two.

Ireland 21-5 Argentina

35 mins – Sheehan scrambles over in the corner off the 5m line out, and seems to get injured in the process. We go to the TMO. No try.

A tackle from Garcia in the build-up is in focus, the Virgin Media commentary team seem to think it should have been a penalty try. 

Sheehan goes off for a HIA, in comes Rónan Kelleher.

Ireland 21-5 Argentina

38 mins – The stop-start nature continues through a series of contested and uncontested scrums, with Oviedo also going off for a HIA and another player moving positions. Confusion all round. Ireland pinged for a side entry in the latest scrum, and a they let another big opportunity slip.

HT: Ireland 21-5 Argentina 

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Prendergast has seen enough and kicks out to bring an end to the first half. Ireland will head for the dressing room pleased with their first-half fightback, and in control with a 21-5 lead.

It was a slow start from the hosts as Matteo Carrareras broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, but three unanswered tries from Hugo Keenan (two) and Dan Sheehan have them in the ascendancy.

The gap could be more but for another Sheehan effort ruled out by the TMO, while Argentina have lost their captain Montoya to a HIA and have Piccardo in the bin.

Second half to follow.

(Side note: Apologies for any strange formatting in the half-time alert, not sure what happened there!)

Here’s Ireland’s third, and Keenan’s second, try:

Keenan at the double! ☘️ Baird’s lineout steal sparks another Irish attack, with Hansen setting up Keenan for a superb finish. 30 mins: Ireland 21-5 Argentina #VMsport #Nationschampionship #IREVARG https://t.co/FH2n6ki8he

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 6, 2026

You’ll find the others if you scroll down.

In loving memory. 🫶 Remembering Philip Browne, Phil O'Callaghan, Fergus Slattery and Ciara Mageean ahead of kick off. https://t.co/UZQtJHmD5Z

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 6, 2026

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

SECOND-HALF – Prendergast gets us underway once more. No half-time changes. Argentina still playing with 14 men for the first five minutes or so.

TRY! Ireland 26-5 Argentina (Sam Prendergast, 42 mins)

Superb from Prendergast, who goes all the way himself for his first senior international try. 

He feigns a pass, takes a tiny gap and turns on the afterburners. He loves it, and asks for the ball to slot the conversion. 28-5. Great start to the second half for Ireland.

Wow! The speed of Sam Prendergast. Dummies and he's gone from 45 metres out. Lovely score from the out-half.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 6, 2026

TRY! Ireland 28-10 Argentina (Mateo Carreras, 45 mins)

Argentina – with 14 men just before the sin-bin ends – hit back as Carreras scores his second try of the night. Clinical.

They add the extras this time, 28-12. A lively start to the second half.

Ireland 28-12 Argentina

Ireland sub - Josh van der Flier in for Sean Jansen.

The man in the red scrum cap makes his impact felt straight away, winning a penalty, with Joe McCarthy, who has been brilliant tonight, following suit. Prendergast plumps for the corner.

TRY! Ireland 33-12 Argentina (Hugo Keenan, 50 mins)

HAT TRICK HERO. Six tries in his last four Tests. Brilliant from Keenan, the ball moved through the hands from the line out maul and the full-back slipped in by Baird. 

Extras added, Ireland lead 35-12.

Just confirming the score again, as there may have been mix-up with the alert. Apologies. 

Ireland 35-12 Argentina

51 mins - Argentina are ringing the changes, some forced, with Oviedo again replaced as a blood sub. 

Three for Hugo Keenan! ☘️🔥 The full-back completes his hat-trick as Ireland extend their lead at the Aviva. 49 mins: Ireland 33-12 Argentina #VMsport #Nationschampionship #IREVARG https://t.co/oSO3R2T48H

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 6, 2026

Ireland 35-12 Argentina 

53 mins – Baird pinches another line out, Ireland force another penalty and Argentina are under the cosh once more. No let up. With another try within touching distance, Baird is held up on the line…

Ireland 35-12 Argentina 

54 mins - Argentina momentarily clear their lines, but the green wave comes crashing back. They’re pinged for another penalty, and Prendergast goes to the corner.

TMO check for Elias’ tackle on Hugo Keenan – it’s deemed high and he sees yellow, with a further review underway. He shakes hands with Keenan on his way off. 

Several Ireland replacements in the meantime…

Ireland 40-12 Argentina (Rónan Kelleher, 56 mins)

Keller starts and finishes the line out maul as Ireland punish Argentina. 

Ciarán Frawley – who just replaced Prendergast – converts to make it 42-12.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

58 mins – Frawley showing both sides of his game as he steps up defensively to clear Ireland’s lines.

Jamie Osborne – promoted to the matchday squad for the ill Bundee Aki – comes in for Baloucoune in the latest Irish replacement.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina

61 mins – Yellow card for Sam Illo after Ireland concede several penalties with Argentina on the hunt for a third try.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina

62 mins – Ireland hold Rubiolo up on the line, and deny Argentina a third try. Great work, with McCloskey and Beirne among those at the heart of the effort.

They’re quickly knocking on the door at the other end, but the Pumas do enough to keep them out. For now.

Decision on the Elias card: It stays yellow.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

66 mins - Another promising attack from Ireland, with Hansen looking to make things happen with a chip-kick and then crossfield kick, but it amounts to little.

The crowd are singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ as the stop-start nature of the second half continues.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

68 mins - Back to it, and Hansen makes a break down the left flank but Argentina scramble to stop Mack the Knife and turn the ball over.

A few moments later, he’s down receiving treatment.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

70 mins – Argentina move through the phases from the scrum, moving from right to left and back again, but they soon concede another sloppy penalty. There’s serious frustration in the coaching box.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

71 mins - Van der Flier makes a break, but loses the ball under pressure. Argentina almost get away at the other end, but a handling error lets them down. Illo returns from the bin for the final nine minutes or so, and makes his impact felt immediately with good work in the scrum.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

75 mins - Kelleher’s subsequent line out throw is deemed crooked, Argentina cut loose from the scrum and look to attack from deep. But they’re soon on the back foot once again.

Ireland’s hat-trick hero Hugo Keenan is the Player of the Match. 

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

77 mins – Ireland keep knocking on the door, with Hansen and Frawley making big plays, but this game is just petering out.

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

80 mins - Argentina penalised for going in at the side, Frawley has the option to end the game but he keeps the clock alive as he kicks to touch and Ireland seek a seventh try…

Ireland 42-12 Argentina 

81 mins - Argentina turn them over and opt to play on themselves, desperately trying to make a break upfield. Ireland win the ball back, and Keenan calls time. Fitting.

FT: Ireland 42-12 Argentina  

Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO

Job done. A convincing win for six-try Ireland. Lots to be pleased about as they roll into Fiji next week, and a South Africa showdown thereafter.

“It’s been 21 months since I’ve been here in green, it’s been tough watching on,” hat-trick hero Hugo Keenan says as he’s named Player of the Match. 

“We’re delighted to be out here, making this brilliant crowd proud.”

That’s all for our live coverage, but Murray Kinsella’s match report is available to read on The 42 and much more will follow.

Thanks for reading – goodnight!