A flawless display by Jonathan Sexton eased Ireland to an end-of-year 29-9 win over an off-colour Argentina at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday in their final autumn test.
The Ireland fly-half got the better of his former Leinster mentor, Argentina’s Felipe Contepomi, kicking 17 points as the hosts got the better of the side that has caused them enormous problems in the past including two demoralising defeats in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups.
The hosts also scored the only two tries of the game through Stephen Ferris and Gordon D’Arcy.
Ireland led 19-3 at half time, following an impressive all-round show as Declan Kidney’s side emerged from a slow start to play with style and power.
Unfortunately the second half failed to give the 30,476 numb-fingered support little to cheer, but following a run of just one win in the last eight games, the Irish won’t argue.
Questions will surround Argentina’s progress too, as their European tour comes to a disappointing end – particularly in the manner with which they lost in Dublin.