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

Tough start for Tonga

Tonga have been drawn in the tournament’s trickiest pool, with the world’s top-ranked nation up first. Toutai Kefu’s side, who had a weekend off in round one, are well aware of their underdog status.

“We’re not delusional to the challenge we face,” said assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal. Yet the ranks of the Pacific islanders have been significantly bolstered thanks to a change of international eligibility rules.

Former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa, a World Cup winner in 2015, Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu and Vaea Fifita are among their starting XV.

Bleyendaal anticipates a physical encounter. “We’re here to really fire some shots,” said the former Munster player.

Avoiding deja vu

Ireland require little reminder of the risks of underestimating weaker opposition at the World Cup. With influential fly-half Sexton rested, they were stunned by hosts Japan under Joe Schmidt in 2019, which ultimately led to a quarter-final exit at the hands of New Zealand.

Farrell was assistant to Schmidt back then. But he insists the upset in Shizuoka has not influenced his strong selection.

Ireland only need to look back to Thursday evening, when a second-string France side survived a major scare against Uruguay, for further evidence of the dangers posed by emerging nations.

Sexton seeking more history

Johnny Sexton returned with a bang in Bordeaux. His first competitive outing in almost six months following injury and suspension included two tries as part of a 24-point haul.

The impressive return propelled him above Ronan O’Gara as Ireland’s leading World Cup points scorer (102) on the day he became his country’s oldest international.

Further history beckons for the 38-year-old in Nantes. He needs just 10 more points to surpass O’Gara as Ireland’s outright record points scorer.

Captain Sexton, who will retire after the tournament, is not contemplating personal glory. “It will be a very special moment individually but no-one else will really care,” he said.

Strong selection

With the formidable Springboks looming large, there were suggestions head coach Andy Farrell may make sweeping changes to his starting line-up.

But the Englishman has resisted temptation and gone almost full strength. Only sidelined hooker Dan Sheehan and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park are missing from arguably his preferred XV.

Farrell made clear he wishes to prioritise the immediate challenge rather than become preoccupied by potential injury setbacks and the forthcoming threat of the reigning world champions. Some fans and pundits disagree with that logic.

Only time will tell if it is the correct call.

Minnows no more. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear about this Rugby World Cup, it is that the less established nations are here to play. For much of this encounter Portugal bounced around the Stade de Nice like free electrons, all energy, ideas and attacking ambition. It took until 83 minutes had elapsed for Taulupe Faletau to force his way through for a bonus point score as Wales just about escaped with a full five points.

After Uruguay gave France an almighty fright in Lille on Thursday night, Portugal here did likewise to a much-changed Welsh side. Gone most certainly, are the days of smaller nations turning up hoping to avoid a cricket score, of misjudged howls about player safety and of five points being pre-written in. Uruguay, Chile and Portugal, to name just three, may lack the up-front muscle to match their opponents, but have a clutch of backline dancers each that have relished the chance to strut their stuff across these opening days of the most competitive World Cup yet.

It must be noted, too, that so many of these nations are developing despite sometimes erratic schedules, and with limited opportunities, if any at all, against the world’s top ten. How World Rugby must now provide these more consistently to support and sustain a sport that needs to broaden its borders. A proposed global league is on the way but that would lock the have nots out - the breadth and depth of talent readily apparent in this opening week needs to be better celebrated.

The report for Wales’ victory over Portugal is on it’s way as is more reaction but we’re also going to build-up to Ireland’s clash with Tonga that kicks off at 8pm.

Word has come through that Vincent Pinto’s yellow card has been upgraded to a red for dangerous play. He did catch Josh Adams right on the top of his left eye so it wasn’t safe.

He’s going to be a big miss for Portugal going forward. Wales will be happy though they managed to get the job done and secure a bonus point.

Wales’ final chance for a bonus comes after a late penalty from Portugal. They feed it into a scrum and work the ball across to Taulupe Faletau who forces himself over the line!

Wales have their bonus point!

Vincent Pinto is sent to the sin bin! He leaps up to catch an aerial ball and as he drops his right leg trails behind and catches Josh Adams on the forehead.

The officials see that as a yellow card offence and it’s been referred to the TMO bunker. There’s not enough time left in the match to see if Pinto’s ‘kick’ will be upgraded to a red.

That decision will come after the final whistle.

The try and conversion have been ruled out for an obstruction in the build-up as Rees Zammit collected the ball. That also means Wales don’t have a bonus point for scoring a fourth try.

There’s still four minutes or so for them to get one.