It was a memorable night in Nantes for Johnny Sexton as he broke Ronan O'Gara's all-time points record for Ireland with Andy Farrell's men comfortably fending off the challenge of Tonga 59-16 in their second Rugby World Cup pool game.
Despite some doubts during the week as to who would be selected Farrell opted to play a strong team with Sexton preferred at outhalf once again and Ross Byrne on the bench.
The 38-year-old, who retires at the end of this campaign, produced a 16-point haul to take his tally in an Irish jersey to 1090, seven clear of O'Gara who made his last appearance for Ireland a decade ago now in 2013.
The moment Johnny Sexton broke Ronan O'Gara's scoring record.
The joy on his face; like it's his first time playing the game. pic.twitter.com/HqvCrDZui8— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 16, 2023
Sexton celebrated delightfully when he scored his try on the stroke of the interval seeming to realise the scale of what he had achieved.
When he arrived into the post-match press conference he still hadn't had the chance to check his phone and take in any congratulatory messages.
Johnny Sexton jokes when asked if Ronan O'Gara had congratulated him
“I haven’t checked my phone yet,” Sexton said when asked by the Irish Independent's Cian Tracey as to whether O'Gara had been in touch to pass on his well wishes.
“I’ve no idea! Ask him. I’m not sure we’re talking to each other after the European Cup final,” he joked.
The comment was a reference to Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May, after which he was hit with a three-game ban after engaging in a heated debate with match officials at full-time despite playing no part on the field due to a groin injury.
“No, I’m sure he will,” Sexton added smiling.
Sexton now says that his son Luca will be able to hunt down his record.
“I think my little boy will be over the moon, he was talking about it during the week and it probably means more to him. He'll chase it down now!
“And so will the other 10s. It's there to be broken now and I'm sure some young guys will be eyeing it up. Look, I'm very proud to do it but tonight was more about getting the win and moving onto what's such a massive game now this week."
This week's game that Sexton eludes to sees Ireland take on reigning world champions South Africa in the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.
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