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Johnny Sexton becomes joint-leading points scorer in Six Nations history

12 Mar 2023

Jonathan Sexton of Ireland has water thrown on him by teammates Cian Healy, right, as he holds the Centenary Quaich after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton became the joint-leading points scorer in Guinness Six Nations history during Sunday’s clash with Scotland.

The 37-year-old moved level with Ronan O’Gara’s total of 557 after kicking a penalty and two conversions at Murrayfield.

Having made his championship debut in 2010, fly-half Sexton travelled to Edinburgh seven points shy of former international team-mate O’Gara.

He achieved the feat in the 62nd minute of his 59th appearance in the tournament before being replaced by Ross Byrne nine minutes later.

The 2018 world player of the year leapfrogged ex-England star Jonny Wilkinson (546) into second place in the overall standings during last month’s win over France before sitting out his county’s round-three trip to Italy with a groin injury.

England skipper Owen Farrell is the second-highest active player, sitting in fourth spot overall on 517.

Sexton will hope to take the outright record in next weekend’s Dublin clash with England.

Speaking about the record before the game, he said: “It’s not something I ever set out to do.

“I’d rather not score another point and win a championship, win a Grand Slam than get the points record.

“If it comes, fantastic, but it’s not something I lose sleep over.

“If you do it, it’s an amazing mark to do. Ronan obviously had an amazing career and even just to be in that same conversation is enough for me.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

DS 13 minutes ago

Damian McKenzie signs long-term deal with NZR

Let’s blame a Chief instead ! 😀

Cane didn’t start in Yokohama but 5 Crusader forwards did and got their tails kicked by the John Mitchell coached England forwards. Well done Hansen!

19 Go to comments

DS 20 minutes ago

Damian McKenzie signs long-term deal with NZR

My bad. Let’s just carry on failing with the same tried and true. When DMac was 10 v France in Dunedin the ABs scored 7 tries; the same in Mendoza. Let's leave him on the bench till the game is already lost or better yet in the stands just in case he might run sideways. BB and SloMo can get the job done. No need to take a risk, especially now that Razor loves his Little Mo. SA will be delighted. No risk Kiwi - that’s the answer / the road to Cup success!

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Blackmania 26 minutes ago

‘Current form doesn’t matter’: Commentator on potential All Blacks midfield

I don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.

Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.

However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.

I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested

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JoeySanders 27 minutes ago

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JW 28 minutes ago

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Yeah apparently is a bit of a larrikin who just turns up on a saturday, totally plays like it too.

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JoeySanders 32 minutes ago

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IkeaBoy 57 minutes ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

It still reflects poorly on the RFU. Obviously the coaches would get it for bombing a home world cup. They were in a pool of death though and just never recovered from the Welsh loss. They seemed to have Burgess shoehorned into the squad by the RFU too.

I think both coaches got burned but they've used their time brilliantly and had the last laugh.

95 Go to comments

IkeaBoy 59 minutes ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

A 48 year old coach could be in his 12th season whereas a 50 year old may just be in his second. It's not a stable comparison.

Most of the (smart) premier league coaches are locked into contracts that renders them too expensive to be sacked, early doors.

95 Go to comments

IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

On the basis of his career stats across the last 5/6 seasons. For club and country. Both win ratios and individual performances have been better when he's played 7.

He was 8 against the unholy trinity last July and Nov. They lost against all 3. Very limited impact from behind the base of the scrum.

He's a dynamic and modern 7. Perhaps a 7 1/2 if it existed but not an 8.

Just my opinion on a rugby forum that encourages opinions. I'm not trying to steal your pension fund so you can relax.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

Duhan van der Merwe injury update leaves Andy Farrell with a dilemma

It's a tough break for him but it's not the end of the world.

Val Kilmer has died. That's real life. The first on screen batman to go. Sad times.

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Mitch 1 hour ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

My worry for Lancaste is he’d start off behind the 8 ball before coaching a single match due to the 2015 World Cup which is unfair as he no doubt has improved since then but that’s what people here, rugby folk or not, will associate him with and not the success at Leinster.

95 Go to comments

fl 1 hour ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Steve Hansen stepped down as ABs coach aged 60, Graham Henry did so at 65, Robbie Deans quit the Wallabies job at 54, and Wayne Smith left the ABs aged 60.

Most of them have had lesser jobs since then, but its only Graham Henry who could really be said to have coached at the top level “well into his 60s”. He’s a bit of an outlier, and that was 14 years ago. Its very possible that that will change, but I’m not seeing much evidence of that!

One factor that might be important is that NBA and the NFL are 1 league sports. Rugby league is pretty much a 2 league sport, and those 2 leagues are so far apart there can’t be much trading between them. Rugby union and especially association football have many more leagues, and so there are more opportunities for younger managers to break through.

Also, the fact that Rugby tends to have less chopping and changing of coaches is an argument against hiring older coaches. Hire a good coach in his 40s and he could stay in the job for 20 years, but realistically how long would Les Kiss be the best coach in Australia for?

95 Go to comments

LE 1 hour ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

I’d probably agree this is a tour too early but Lions do have a rich history of capping bolters and Pollock isnt as far behind as many say. I think you under-estimate his jackle work as he has a great turnover rate at club level and even at England A, he even got one against Wales

Fact is the nature of the game is changing and fast lighter backrows becoming more and more common as ball in play times go up and teams look to play wider. He is faces a challenge to make the initial squad but he is definately part of the conversation

13 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

on what basis is earl a better 7 than 8?

his best test level performances have all been at 8. He’s a great club level openside, but has only ever performed well there in international rugby when there has been a specialist openside elsewhere in the back row who is able to share the defensive workload.

you’re right that Pollock won’t go to the Lions, but he’s a much better 8 than he is a 7. That’s because - like Earl - his carrying game is immense but his defensive workrate is a step behind players like Curry, Curry, Underhill, and Pepper.

13 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

he’s never played 6

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Spew_81 2 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Agree. I was replying to JHW’s comment.

Most tier one nations, apart from the Pumas and the Springboks are guilty of poaching tier two talent.

It will keep happening until the eligibility rules are properly fixed.

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JD Kiwi 2 hours ago