Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga

Arizona Tribune - Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga

Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga / Photo: Christophe ARCHAMBAULT - AFP

Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga

SPORTS 14.09.2023

Johnny Sexton will have a chance to set a new points record for Ireland after being selected on Thursday for their second Rugby World Cup pool match against Tonga.

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The 38-year-old fly-half is just nine points off his predecessor Ronan O'Gara's points mark of 1,083 after scoring 24 in last Saturday's opening 82-8 rout of Romania.

Sexton will be partnered at half-back by Conor Murray, who for years was the first choice scrum-half but has slipped behind Jamison Gibson-Park.

Head coach Andy Farrell has made other changes to the starting XV which faced Romania, bringing in Australia-born wing Mack Hansen for Keith Earls for the match in Nantes.

World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier gets a start after being a replacement last weekend and his Leinster teammate hooker Ronan Kelleher also starts.

Ireland, ranked number one in the world, will hope to make it two from two against a Tonga side that is yet to play at this World Cup.

Team (15-1)

Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter

Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw

Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)

J.Gomez--AT

CMSC	-0.55%	21.79	$
RBGPF	-1.56%	66.73	$
RYCEF	-2.74%	18.25	$
NGG	-1.82%	82.37	$
VOD	-1.7%	15.25	$
RELX	0.37%	32.86	$
RIO	-0.84%	91.51	$
BTI	-3.71%	59.84	$
GSK	-0.04%	50.74	$
BCE	-1.27%	21.21	$
BCC	-1.62%	76.46	$
JRI	-0.16%	12.9	$
CMSD	-0.68%	22	$
BP	1.39%	43.93	$
AZN	-0.87%	168.27	$

Arizona Tribune - Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga

Sexton eyes O'Gara's record as he starts against Tonga

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