Argentina XV 8 Ireland A 33: After a couple toothless displays earlier in the competition, the Irish second-string finally showed some grit and determination against an admittedly poor Argentina selection in the Churchill Cup.
Under clear blue skies in Chicago, Allen Clarke's side, disappointed to have missed out on the main final, secured the plate and managed to restore a modicum of pride.
A dominant first-half display was enough to see off the Los Pumas XV, with tries from Denis Fogarty and Darren Cave helping establish a 21-0 advantage.
And while the Irish challenge may have wilted in the heat after the interval, Argentina could muster little in reply with Gabriel Ascarate's late score proving little more than a consolation.
Argentina: Barrera Oro, Camacho, Gauthier, Amelong, Merello, Mieres, Albarracin, Rodriguez Planells Oviedo, Maria, Orlandi, Lagarrigue, Aranguren, Creevy, Fessia, Abadie, Ascarate.
Replacements: Senatore for Amelong (78), Urdapilleta for Merello (41), Ascarate for Mieres (68), Gomez Kodela for Rodriguez Planells Oviedo (79), Bettoli for Orlandi (72), Genoud for Creevy (56), Lopez Fleming for Ascarate (75).
Sin Bin: Lagarrigue (78).
IrelandA: D. Hurley, McCrea, Cave, Earls, Tuohy, Sexton, F. Murphy, Healy, Fogarty, Ross, Ryan, Casey, Best, O'Connor, Wilson.
Replacements: McFadden for McCrea (78), Keatley for Sexton (75), Hogan for Casey (59), Court for O'Connor (80), Pollock for Wilson (68), Marshall for Murphy (80).
Sin Bin: Ross (78).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IMNWKIX5DFFCFE5CD5NLBU6EVY.png)