Ireland begin World Cup with 12-try win over Romania

Sexton injured his wrist while scoring a late try in the first half but appeared after the break

Ireland opened their Rugby World Cup campaign with a bonus-point win as they scored 12 tries to overwhelm Romania in stifling heat in Bordeaux.

They added seven more in the second period to complete a resounding win.

Johnny Sexton marked his return with 24 points, including two tries, as he surpassed Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's record World Cup scorer.

Sexton, who eclipsed O'Gara's Six Nations record earlier this year, now sits just nine points adrift of the Munster legend's Ireland Test record of 1,083 points.

The 38-year-old had not played since Ireland's Grand Slam-clinching win against England in March because of injury and suspension.

But he looked sharp on his return as he led the world's number one-ranked team to a routine Pool B win - their biggest-ever at a World Cup - in testing conditions at Stade de Bordeaux.

With their first assignment comfortably negotiated, Ireland face a stiffer challenge against Tonga next Saturday before moving on to the even more daunting tasks of South Africa and Scotland.

Sexton stars as Ireland dominate

Ireland went into Saturday's opener as one of the tournament favourites, having won every Test since topping the world rankings after last year's series win over New Zealand.

After watching potential quarter-final opponents France - who Ireland beat to the Grand Slam in March - issue an ominous statement against the All Blacks on Friday, Andy Farrell's side recorded a big win of their own, albeit against weaker opposition.

What became a comfortable victory started with a blip, though. Just three minutes in, Romania pounced on Sexton's attempted chip through to Keith Earls, allowing Rupanu to score.

Ireland were never going to panic though and, with Sexton increasingly influential, they stamped their authority on the game with Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan and Tadhg Beirne all touching down.

Romania's cause was not helped by full-back Marius Simionescu being sin-binned before the outstanding Bundee Aki scored and set one up for Sexton.

Irish fans would have been concerned to see Sexton's reaction after scoring, with the fly-half's wrist caught by Jason Tomane's knee as he was dotting down.

But Sexton re-emerged for the second half and scored his second try of the afternoon before going off to a standing ovation 25 minutes from time.

More to follow.

Teams

Ireland: Keenan; Earls, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Doris, O'Mahony, Beirne; Ryan, McCarthy; Furlong, Herring, Porter.

Replacements: Kelleher, Loughman, O'Toole, Henderson, Van der Flier, Murray, Crowley, Hansen.

Romania: Simionescu; Onutu, Tangimana, Tomane, Manumua; Vaovasa, Rupanu; Chirica (capt), Neculau, Rosu; Iancu, Motoc; Gordas, Cojocaru, Hartig.

Replacements: Bardasu, Savin, Gajion, Iftimiciuc, Ser, Conache, Boldor, Gontineac.

Sin bin: Marius Simionescu (32)

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)