Ireland 82-8 Romania: Six Nations champions kick off Rugby World Cup challenge in style as Johnny Sexton sets record

Johnny Sexton sealed his return to the Ireland line up with two tries as his side cruised to a 74-point victory over Romania, becoming the leading Irish world cup points scorer in the process.

The Irish skipper had not played since the Six Nations but showed little rust linking well with Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki, while kicking seven of his eight attempted conversions.

His efforts put him on 102 World Cup points, taking the lead from his No. 10 predecessor Ronan O’Gara.

Romania shocked early on when a fantastic run from Hinckley Vaovasa set up Gabriel Rupanu to score.

Tries from Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan and Tadgh Beirne had the game well in control by the mid-half drinks break.

Aki and Sexton scored tries in both halves with Rob Herring, Joseph McCarthy, and Peter O’Mahony (twice) also touching down in the second half as Romania’s defence wilted.

Tadhg Beirne dived over in injury time to seal a conclusive victory, their biggest in a Rugby World Cup.

The biggest plus was Johnny Sexton embedding himself back in the team after six months out and removing any doubts that he remains the man to lead the side over the next month. O’Mahony was tireless and dominant in the back row, ably supported by Beirne. There are things to work on: the line-out was not as sharp as it needs to be and Andy Farrell will not be happy with the 12 handling errors. The drive the team showed to score a try deep into injury time when they could have easily ended the game may be an illustration of the desire this side has to go all the way in this tournament.

He had a World Cup to forget four years ago but looks well capable of having a much more positive impact on the tournament this time around. He scored two tries and created many more opportunities with his barnstorming runs, seen notably when he set up Sexton’s first try. He ended up with a match-high 172 metres gained and equal-best three off-loads.

Ireland: Keenan 7; Earls 6, Ringrose 7, Aki 9*, Lowe 7; Sexton 7, Gibson-Park 7; Porter 6, Herring 6, Furlong 6; McCarthy 7, Ryan 6; Beirne 7, O’Mahony 8, Doris 6.

Subs: Kelleher 6, Loughran 6, O’Toole 6, Henderson 6, van der Flier 6, Murray 7, Crowley 7, Hansen 7.

Romania: Simionescu 6; Onutu 5, Tangimana 5, Tomane 5, Manumua 5; Vaovasa 6, Rupanu 6; Harting 5, Cojocaru 5, Gordas 5; Motoc 7, Iancu 6; Rosu 6, Neculau 7, Chirica 7.

Subs: Savin 5, Gajion 5, Iftimiciuc 6, Ser 6, Conache 5, Boldar 5, Gontineac 5.

3′ TRY FOR ROMANIA! Great run from Vaovasa picking up a kick through from Sexton and racing 40 yards down the line before setting up his scrum half Rupanu to touch down.

5′ TRY FOR IRELAND! The opposite scrum half Gibson-Park runs through to score after Aki’s initial line break cut through the Romania defence. Sexton converts.

34′ TRY FOR IRELAND! Bonus point for Ireland. Aki races through, he could have gone to Lowe outside or Gibson-Park inside but went over himself. It was set up by an impudent flick pass from Porter.

40′ TRY FOR IRELAND! Sexton scores on his return to side. A bit of a concern is he is holding his left hand afterwards after Tomane needlessly dives at him and collects his non-ball holding hand with a knee. Another fine set up by Aki. Sexton fine to convert from in front of the posts.

50′ TRY FOR IRELAND! Lowe is held up a yard form the line. The ball is quickly played from Gibson-Park to O’Mahony who gets over the try-line.

51′ CONVERSION FOR SEXTON! And now he has the Ireland record for World Cup points.

62′ TRY FOR IRELAND! Straight from the restart Ireland were knocking on the door on the third phase under the posts Sexton dives over like a prop forward. He knocks over the conversion too.

80′ TRY FOR IRELAND! Beirne gets his second try. Ireland could have just kicked it out to end the game but you have to admire them going for another try. Crowley kicks the conversion.

• 102 – The new record for Irish points at a World Cup held by Johnny Sexton. He surpasses Ronan O’Gara’s 93.
• 74 – New record victory for Ireland in a World Cup, beating the 64-7 victory over Namibia in 2003.