Paris continues to be a happy hunting ground for Ireland’s giant-killers, who thumped world number 11 Argentina at the INSEP Five Nations tournament yesterday.
Paul Revington’s side, ranked 18th in the world have made a habit of early goals this week, as they did in Tuesday’s shock 5-1 defeat of Korea, and there was more of the same here.
Michael Watt’s dizzying solo effort and a John Jermyn penalty stroke gave them a 2-0 lead, augmented by a brutal Timmy Cockram reverse before half-time.
The South Americans were determined to make amends for their poor start and hit back with a Pedro Ibarra penalty stroke but Ireland made it safe when Watt notched his second — his fifth in three games — on the final hooter.
Ireland, now with two wins from three having lost 4-2 to favourites Australia in midweek, take on France today (4.30pm) knowing victory will put them in the shake-up for overall honours, a remarkable prospect given they entered the tournament ranked lowest of the five sides.