Seven-try demolition sets up Ireland for Six Nations assault

Ireland 46 Argentina 24

Watching Ireland play Argentina off the park on Saturday almost required a reality check. Was this the same Ireland that committed hari-kari against the All Blacks just last summer?

And was it really just two weeks ago that Ireland couldn’t buy a ticket over the halfway line against South Africa, let alone a try? This wonderfully positive, intelligently crafted and superbly executed seven-try victory against a strong but fatigued Pumas side made light of the angst surrounding Ireland since their World Cup quarter-final exit to Wales 13 months ago and a joke of pre-match permutations regarding a precarious world ranking.