Ireland 9 Argentina 17: Just like their senior counterparts in last year's World Cup, the Irish under-20s came unstuck against Argentina in the opening match of their world championship campaign this evening.

Los Pumas were impressive from the outset and opened the scoring through outhalf Benjamin Madero but were soon pegged back as Martin Dufficy landed the first of three successful penalties.

Argentina continued to press, however, and were rewarded when Diego Palma scampered in for a try to leave the score 10-3 at the interval.

Dufficy brought the score to 10-9 with two more kicks at goal but when Juan Pablo Estelles broke away with four minutes to go there was no way back for Eric Elwood's side.

Elwood must now attempt to regroup ahead of next Tuesday's meeting with New Zealand.