Ireland knocks out Argentina again in Singapore Sevens

SINGAPORE (AP) — Ireland beat Argentina 21-5 in a Singapore Sevens quarterfinal matchup of the world series’ leading teams on Saturday.

The front-running Argentines have lost only two quarterfinals this season, and Ireland dumped them both times.

Ireland, which has never won the series, will have a chance on Sunday to overtake Argentina in the standings and lead going into the Madrid grand final this month.

Argentina scored first from nothing when Tobias Wade broke out of his own 22. But with seconds left in the half, Jordan Conroy collected Gavin Mullin’s kickahead and they led 7-5.

The second half was all Ireland. A Connor O’Sullivan break gave Terry Kennedy a series-leading 31st try, and after Matteo Graziano was sin-binned for a deliberate knockdown, Billy Dardis scored from the resulting scrum.

Ireland will face Britain in the semifinals on Sunday after Britain thrashed France 35-7. Britain backed into the quarters by downing the United States 21-19, saved by Charlton Kerr tackling Perry Baker out the back of the in-goal.