Ireland vs Tonga LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 result, match stream, latest updates today
Ireland made light work on Tonga to continue their Rugby World Cup campaign on Saturday night.
Johnny Sexton crossed for a try to become Ireland’s all-time leading points scorer in the first half of the Six Nations champions’ World Cup Pool B clash against Tonga on Saturday.
Having matched Ronan O’Gara’s tally of 1,083 points with a penalty and conversions of tries by Caelan Doris, Tadhg Beirne and Mack Hansen, Sexton skipped across the line under the posts in the 38th minute to make the record his own.
The 38-year-old flyhalf, who has won 114 Ireland caps since making his debut in 2009, is also the highest points scorer in the Six Nations with 566 points, having surpassed O’Gara’s tally this year.
Ireland cruised to a bonus-point victory in Nantes, putting Tonga to the sword. In a competitive group also containing Scotland and South Africa, Andy Farrell’s side have laid down an early marker.
Ireland vs Tonga latest news
Full match report
Good night!
22:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Ireland’s big win over Tonga.
Find our full match report below!
Sexton breaks record as Ireland get big bonus point victory
22:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Johnny Sexton smashed Ireland’s individual points record as his side edged closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a crushing 59-16 bonus-point victory over Tonga in Nantes.
The influential fly-half surpassed Ronan O’Gara’s all-time tally of 1,083 in style with the fourth of his side’s eight tries on a balmy evening at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Captain Sexton also kicked a penalty and four conversions en route to moving on to a career total of 1,090 before being withdrawn from a bruising Pool B encounter at half-time ahead of next week’s crucial clash with South Africa.
Read our full match report here!
FT: Ireland 57-16 Tonga
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A brilliant start to the tournament for the Irish, who now have two bonus points to boot.
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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80 mins: Herring gets one after seeing his first try ruled out.
And that’s it for Ireland!
They win 57-16.
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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69 mins: Ireland turning on the style now as Aki gets his second of the game
Byrne adds the extras
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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63 mins: Try!
Aki goes over with ease as Ireland cut through Tonga after a lineout.
Byrne then does the honours from the spot!
Ireland vs Tonga: CONVERTED TRY!
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59 mins: Converted try!
Lowe gets one off the back of a maul before Byrne converts!
Ireland vs Tonga: TMO strike again!
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52 mins: Herring’s effort ruled out as he propelled himself over the line on his knees after being tackled.
Ireland vs Tonga: Penalty!
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43 mins: Havili picks up where he left off in a strong start!
Ireland vs Tonga: Back underway!
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Here we go!
HT: Ireland 31-13 Tonga
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Wha a first-half!
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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47 mins: TRY!
Tonga get back into it!Vaea Fifita from the scrum under the posts as
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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39 mins: TRY!
Sexton breaks the record!
He overtakes Ronan O’Gara by scoring a fantastic try before converting. The Irish have a bonus point.
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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32 mins: Stunning work from Hansen, who dances inside to dot down after patient play.
As ever, Sexton coverts
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY!
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27 mins: TRY!
Doris drives over the line after the maul and Sexton does the honours.
Ireland vs Tonga: PENALTY!
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23 mins: Porter pulled up at the breakdown as Havili lands another monster penalty
Ireland vs Tonga: Sexton coverts
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21 mins: Sexton follows that up to put Ireland in a commanding position.
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY! Ireland 8-3 Tonga
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20 mins: And there we have it, Ireland’s first try!
Beirne is able to dot down just under the posts after a poweful run.
Ireland vs Tonga: TRY RULED OUT!
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17 mins: Andrew Porter’s effort chalked off after Mack Hansen knocked on.
Let off for Tonga...
Ireland vs Tonga: Havili scores penalty!
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15 mins: Havili coverts after Peter O’Mahony was penalised for obstruction.
Fair to say he’s not particularly pleased about it...
Ireland vs Tonga: Fast start
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12 mins: Sloppy hands from both teams in this opening 12 minutes.
Ireland vs Tonga: Sexton converts penalty!
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06 mins: Sexton gets the Irish off the mark!
Ireland vs Tonga: KICK-OFF!
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Away we go!
Ireland vs Tonga: Anthems start
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Here we go!
Andy Farrell to ITV Sport
19:49 , Jonathan Gorrie
“The game is important to us. It is a completely different type of game compared to last week. We’re respecting the opposition because of the quality that is there, as a collective and individuals and coaching staff.
“We know they are a big side, not just big but a physical side who can play the game,. They have a very good set piece and good maul. They want to hit in defence so we need to move them about a bit.”
Ireland vs Tonga: Closing in on kick-off!
19:32 , Jonathan Gorrie
Less than 30 minutes to go...
Reporting for Saturday night business! 💼#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/tCjTOnVkhL
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 16, 2023
Head to head (h2h) history and results
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The two teams have only met once at the World Cup, when Ireland won 32-9 in 1987.
Sexton not focused on breaking Ireland points record in Tonga test
18:43 , Jonathan Gorrie
Johnny Sexton could become Ireland’s record points scorer in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash against Tonga.
The 38-year-old needs just 10 points to move past Ronan O’Gara’s Test haul of 1,083 for Ireland.
The Lions stalwart insisted however that he will have no thoughts of that record when leading Andy Farrell’s backline against a physical, talented Tonga team in Nantes.
“It’s not something that comes into my head too often,” said Sexton. “It will be a very special moment individually, but no one else will really care.
Ireland vs Tonga referee
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English referee Wayne Barnes will take charge in Nantes with countryman Matthew Carley and Wales’ Craig Evans as assistants. The TMO will be England’s Tom Foley.
George Moala suspended for Tonga
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Tonga are without injured duo Israel Folau and Telusa Veainu for the duration of the tournament. George Moala is suspended for this game and for the meetings with Scotland and South Africa after his ban for a dangerous tackle in the warm-up clash with Canada.
Toutai Kefu’s starting team features no fewer than four former All Blacks in Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau, Vaea Fifita and Augustine Pulu, with Tonga benefitting from the changes to World Rugby eligibility rules that now allow capped players to switch their international allegiances after a three-year absence. Bordeaux prop Ben Tameifuna captains the side.
Ireland make four changes
17:39 , Jonathan Gorrie
Ireland have made four changes to face Tonga, with Mack Hansen, Conor Murray, Ronan Kelleher and Josh van der Flier all drafted in for Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson-Park, Rob Herring and Joe McCarthy.
Fit-again duo Dave Kilcoyne and Robbie Henshaw are both on the bench, but there’s still no hooker Dan Sheehan. Jack Conan, Jimmy O’Brien and Stuart McCloskey are also not involved again.
Prediction: Ireland to win with a bonus point
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
We’re yet to get a look at Tonga in this tournament but they are expected to struggle to lay a glove on an Irish team with genuine ambitions of going all the way.
Ireland to win, with a bonus point
Tonga team news and lineup
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Tonga XV: Piutau; Taumoepeau, Fekitoa, Ahki, Kata; Mausia, Pulu; Fisi’ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna (c); Lousi, L Fifita; Halaifonua, Talitui, V Fifita
Replacements: Moli, Kolomatangi, Apikotoa, Mafi, Funaki, Vailanu, Takul, Inisi
Ireland team news and lineup
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (c), Murray; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; Beirne, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris
Replacements: Herring, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Henderson, Baird, Casey, Byrne, Henshaw
Where to watch Ireland vs Tonga
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TV channel: In the UK, Saturday’s showdown is to be shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7:15pm.
Live stream: The ITV website and ITVX app will also offer a free live stream service for fans online.
Live blog: You can follow all the action live via Standard Sport’s Rugby World Cup blog.
Welcome
17:27 , Jonathan Gorrie
Good evening and welcome to Standard Spot’s LIVE coverage of Ireland’s World Cup clash with Tonga.
Kick-off inside Stade de la Beaujoire is at 8pm BST.
