Ireland vs Tonga LIVE: Rugby World Cupresult and reaction as Johnny Sexton breaks points scoring record

Ireland 59-16 Tonga: Andy Farrell’s top Pool B after consecutive heavy victories in France

(REUTERS)

Ireland earned a second conescutive victory of the 2023 Rugby World Cup when they dispatched Tonga in Nantes on Saturday night. Andy Farrell’s men scored eight tries in total as they racked up over 50 points in a match for the second game in a row continuing to justfy why they are one of the favourites to win this tournament.

After a frustrating start to the game in which both teams exchanged penalty kicks, Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne went over the line to unlock his teams attacking quality and they added another three tries to secure a bonus point before the break. The most influential being Johnny Sexton’s as the 38-year-old broke Ronan O’Gara’s record to become the new all-time leading Irish points scorer.

Tonga responded with a try of their own right on the brink of half-time but they couldn’t muster a fight back in the second half. The Irish replacements contined the dominance and Rob Herring’s last minute try put the icing on the cake of another superb victory.

Relive all the action from the Stade de la Beaujoire below.

Ireland vs Tonga live updates

• Johnny Sexton breaks Ireland points record during impressive victory over Tonga
• Ireland hammer Tonga in a Pool B match at the Stade de la Beaujoire
• TRY! Ireland 59-16 Tonga, (Rob Herring, 80 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 52-16 Tonga, (Bundee Aki, 69 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 45-16 Tonga, (Bundee Aki, 63 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 38-16 Tonga, (James Lowe, 58 minutes)
• PENALTY! Ireland 31-16 Tonga (William Havili, 43 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 31-13 Tonga, (Vaea Fifita, 48 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 31-6 Tonga, (Johnny Sexton, 38 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 24-6 Tonga, (Mack Hansen, 33 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 17-6 Tonga, (Caelan Doris, 27 minutes)
• PENALTY! Ireland 10-6 Tonga, (William Havili, 24 minutes)
• TRY! Ireland 10-3 Tonga (Tadhg Beirne, 21 minutes)
• PENALTY! Ireland 3-3 Tonga, (William Havili, 16 minutes)
• PENALTY! Ireland 3-0 Tonga (Johnny Sexton, 7 minutes)

[16 September 2023 21:39 · Mike Jones]

TRY! Ireland 38-16 Tonga, (James Lowe, 58 minutes)

There it is! Ireland have been hammering on the door for the duration of the second half and it’s James Lowe who forces his way over the line for Andy Farrell’s men.

Tonga’s defence is finally broken and Ireland are on their way again. Ross Byrne takes the conversion kick and pumps it over the sticks.

[16 September 2023 21:36 · Mike Jones]

Ireland 31-16 Tonga, 55 minutes

Tonga’s defence holds firm as Ireland whizz the ball along the line from right to left and back again. Siegfried Fisi’ihoi brings down the latest attacker then smothers the ball and wins his team a penalty as it isn’t released.

The pressure eases on Tonga.

[16 September 2023 21:31 · Mike Jones]

Ireland 31-16 Tonga, 52 minutes

No try! Ireland get their first points of the second half. Rob Herring is given the ball and drives at the line. He’s brought down but seemingly shuffles himself over the line.

The try is initially awarded but the video referee looks at the incident and the officials see that Herring moved after being tackled so the try is ruled out.

[16 September 2023 21:27 · Mike Jones]

Ireland 31-16 Tonga, 51 minutes

Ireland continue to play aggressively. They win a penalty and boot it into the corner. A quick lineout sees them shuffle the ball down the line but a fumble scuppers the momentum.

Tonga can’t force them back though and there’ll be a few driving runs at the line now.

[16 September 2023 21:23 · Mike Jones]

Ireland 31-16 Tonga, 47 minutes

Conor Murray pulls the ball out of the ruck and dinks a little kick in behind the Tongan line. Garry Ringrose comes flying through on the angle as the ball bobbles into the try zone but he can’t collect it and misses out on a World Cup try!

Ringrose bangs his hand into the turf in frustration. That was a huge chance but the bounce of the ball was unkind for him.

[16 September 2023 21:19 · Mike Jones]

PENALTY! Ireland 31-16 Tonga (William Havili, 43 minutes)

The first points of the second half go to Tonga after a simple penalty kick is booted over by William Havili. Ireland need to cut out the errors or else Tonga will continue to close the gap on them.

[16 September 2023 21:18 · Mike Jones]

Second half! Ireland 31-13 Tonga

Ireland get the match back underway in Nantes. They’ll be hoping to increase their lead over the Pacific Islanders to easily close out this game.

[16 September 2023 21:10 · Mike Jones]

HT Ireland 31-13 Tonga

(Getty Images)

(PA)

(Getty Images)

[16 September 2023 21:07 · Mike Jones]

Johnny Sexton passes Ronan O’Gara as all-time leading Irish points scorer

Johnny Sexton has passed Ronan O’Gara to become Ireland’s all-time leading points scorer in international rugby.

The 38-year-old fly half went past his predecessor in the Irish number ten shirt during Ireland’s Rugby World Cup game against Tonga in Nantes.

Sexton began the game nine points short of O’Gara’s tally of 1,083.

Having opened the scoring with a penalty, Sexton converted Tadhg Beirne’s try before adding two more from the tee after Caelan Doris was the beneficiary of a powerful maul.

[16 September 2023 21:01 · Mike Jones]

Half-time! Ireland 31-13 Tonga

That added time try with give Tonga a bit of hope that they can get themselves back into the match. A quick try after the break for them will be a big deal.

There’s lots left to do in this one yet.