MAN-FOR-MAN MARKING

Joaquín Tuculet v Felix Jones

Ireland’s defence wasn’t the reliable force it tends to be with Rob Kearney at full-back but Jones did enough to eclipse Argentine counterpart Tuculet.

Manuel Montero v Andrew Trimble

Trimble didn’t replicate his Six Nations form and Montero’s dancing feet led to a first-half try. Trimble, though, had his say with a second-half intercept.

Jerónimo de la Fuente v Darren Cave

Day one stepping into BOD’s big boots didn’t go badly for Cave, one smashing canter early on illustrating he has an eye for a linebreak.

Gabriel Ascárate v Luke Marshall

Marshall’s error that led to Argentina’s first-half try. Ascárate’s limitations were evident but Marshall’s game ended early on 56 minutes.

Santiago Cordero v Simon Zebo

First game in a year for Zebo and it seemed as if the pressure on him to deliver took its toll but his uncertainty didn’t get Ireland into trouble.

Nicolás Sánchez v Jonathan Sexton

Sexton’s duel at out-half with Sanchez was the game’s best match-up. Sexton’s experience had the telling edge with his early second-half try.

Martín Landajo v Conor Murray

This wasn’t Murray’s finest hour, nevertheless he wasn’t eclipsed by Landajo, the Argentine skipper, who was gutsy throughout.

Ramiro Herrera v Jack McGrath

While McGrath’s contributions around the park weren’t entirely accurate, there was no fudging at the scrum and he had Herrera’s number every time.

Matías Cortese v Rory Best

The exertions of a long season may have caught up on Best but it was still honours even as Cortese is still finding his way at this level.

Lucas Noguera Paz v Mike Ross

But for Martin Moore’s toe injury, this could have been the tour when Ross lost the No3 shirt but he showed here he still have so much to offer yet.

Manuel Carizza v Iain Henderson

Carizza didn’t last beyond the interval and although Henderson didn’t stand out, his hard work in the trenches was valuable.

Tomás Lavanini v Paul O’Connell

Not O’Connell’s finest hour but he provided sufficient leadership to ensure a potential ambush was headed off comfortably.

Tomás de la Vega v Robbie Diack

An average debut for Diack was summed up him by ignoring an early Simon Zebo overlap outside that butchered a try-scoring chance.

Rodrigo Báez v Chris Henry

Henry missed a tackle in the lead-up to Argentina’s first score but he hit back with Ireland’s first try to settle the nerves before wielding his influence.

Benjamín Macome v Jordi Murphy

A first start for Murphy and he provided enough grunt to ensure the back row fell his team’s way. Rival Macome was foolishly yellow carded early on.

Argentina bench v Ireland bench

The tourists held the whip-hand here, having much more experience in reserve to see out the win as they look to clinch the series next Saturday.

Daniel Hourcade v Joe Schmidt

Hourcade’s selection choices left Argentina without the necessary experience to make an impact as Schmidt shuffled his cards nicely for a 12-point win.