Sexton breaks record as eight-try Ireland beat Tonga

Johnny Sexton looked thrilled as he surpassed fly-half predecessor Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's record points scorer

Ireland: (31) 59
Tries: Beirne, Doris, Hansen, Sexton, Lowe, Aki 2, Herring Cons: Sexton 4, Byrne 4 Pen: Sexton
Tonga: (13) 16
Try: Fifita Con: Havili Pens: Havili 3

Ireland continued their winning start to the World Cup with a bonus-point victory over Tonga on a landmark night for Johnny Sexton in Nantes.

Sexton added a fourth to surpass Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's record scorer.

Vaea Fifita scored for Tonga before half-time but James Lowe, Bundee Aki - with two - and Rob Herring capped another resounding Ireland win.

While the Irish encountered more headaches here than they did in their 12-try destruction of Romania, Andy Farrell will be pleased that his side moved on to 10 points before next week's eagerly anticipated encounter with holders South Africa in Paris.

Crucially, the world's number one-ranked team again appeared to avoid injuries to key players with Farrell even afforded the luxury of ending Sexton's night at half-time after the out-half's record-breaking contribution.

Tonga, who did not play last week, will look to bounce back when they take on Scotland in Nice on Sunday week.

More to follow.

Teams

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Murray; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Henderson, Baird, Casey, Byrne, Henshaw.

Sin-bin: O'Mahony (40+3)

Tonga: Piutau; Taumoepeau, Fekitoa, Ahki, Kata; Havili, Pulu; Fisi'ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna (capt); Lousi, Fifita; Halaifonua, Talitui, Fifita

Replacements: Moli, Koloamatangi, Apikotoa, Paea, Funaki, Vailanu, Takulula, Inisi.

Referee: Wayne Barnes