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The Johnny Sexton verdict on the latest Ireland Rugby World Cup win
By PA
Johnny Sexton has joked his young son will chase down his record after he became Ireland’s all-time leading points scorer in a crushing Rugby World Cup win over Tonga. Captain Sexton stylishly surpassed former fly-half rival Ronan O’Gara with the fourth of his side’s eight tries in a thumping 59-16 Pool B success in Nantes.
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The 38-year-old also kicked a penalty and four conversions en route to moving on to a career total of 1,090 Test points in the green jersey – seven clear of O’Gara’s tally of 1,083 and in 13 fewer appearances.
He gleefully celebrated his landmark score under the posts before suggesting that his nine-year-old Luca will one day look to eclipse the achievement.
“It’s something when you retire and finish, you can look back and be proud,” said Sexton. “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 will 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.”
The twinkling Irish eyes will be dulled in a week's time