'We knew that we didn’t really deliver when it mattered in Eden Park'

Hat-trick hero Hugo Keenan admits Ireland still have plenty to prove despite launching their autumn campaign with a bonus-point demolition of Argentina in Dublin.

Full-back Keenan marked his first international appearance on home soil for 20 months by scoring three of his country’s six tries in Friday evening’s 42-21 Nations Championship victory over the Pumas.

Head coach Andy Farrell conceded this week that Ireland must improve in order to be genuine contenders for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“It’s a big 12 months but it’s also a big couple of weeks as well,” said Keenan.

“We know we’ve got a lot of growth to go in the group, and we’ve got a lot of stuff we need to improve on.

“We’re not at the level where we want to be yet, and it’s going to take a big couple of weeks to prove to each other, and to you guys (the media), and to our fans as to where we can get to.

“It’s been a good start but there’s still a good bit of work to do.”

After his involvement in last summer’s British and Irish Lions tour, Keenan missed Ireland’s 2025 autumn fixtures and this year’s Six Nations through injury.

He returned to Test rugby at the start of the Nations Championship in July, scoring a try in a 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney and another in the 40-21 defeat by New Zealand at Eden Park, having sat out the 36-20 win over Japan in between.

Captain Dan Sheehan, fly-half Sam Prendergast and replacement hooker Ronan Kelleher were also on the scoresheet against Argentina as Ireland made it three wins from four in the competition.

Keenan revealed Ireland’s coaching staff have been setting clear expectations since the summer.

“We knew that we didn’t really deliver when it mattered in Eden Park, only at times in that Australia game,” said the 30-year-old Leinster player.

“We had a good camp in August, reviewing that and looking at where we can get better. Coaches set the standard and the stall out as to what we need to improve on.

“They’ve sort of been on us a bit since then as well, even though we’ve been with our provinces, and that’s been good at driving us on so that we’re a small bit ahead of where we’d previously been going into a camp.

“There’s a good quality squad there, a lot of strength in depth. I think we’ve taken a step in the right direction, certainly in terms of improving from Australia and New Zealand.”

Ireland host Fiji next Saturday and world champions South Africa seven days later before finals weekend at the end of the month.

Keenan was praised for his “immense” performance by head coach Farrell after linking up well with wings Mack Hansen and Robert Baloucoune.

“It was great being back during the summer but it’s different being at home in the Aviva, in front of the home support, your family, all your friends, seeing so many faces in the crowd,” said Keenan.

“These are the days you love representing Ireland.”