Phelan: Five-star Ireland beat us all over the park

Santiago Phelan believes World Cup ranking points were at the root of Ireland’s five-star performance at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The Argentinian coach was lavish in his praise of Declan Kidney’s team after smashing their way to a record victory and said: “Victory went to the team that clearly wanted it most.”

With a place in the top eight seeded countries secure, Ireland can bask in the glory of a decent autumn series that might have yielded three wins but for a ten-minute collapse against South Africa and Phelan believes they have every right to be pleased with a surprisingly easy win over his Pumas.