Johnny Sexton - 'a leader of men' - breaks Irish points record in spectacular fashion

The Ireland 10 has broken Ronan O'Gara's long-standing Irish points record of 1,083. 

Ireland's Johnny Sexton scores the fourth try of the game and a record-breaker for him personally. 

Johnny Sexton is Ireland's all-time highest points scorer with 1,090 points to his name. He broke Ronan O'Gara's record in spectacular fashion in Nantes on Saturday night, sliding over for a first-half try in his side's 59-16 victory over Tonga.

Sexton opened the scoring with a penalty and soon after converted Tadhg Beirne’s try before adding two more from the tee after Caelan Doris put the ball over the line.

Sexton's 1,090 points make him Ireland's all-time highest points scorer, surpassing O'Gara's record of 1,083. Pic: Laszlo Geczo, Inpho.

Then, two minutes before the break, Mack Hansen’s dart to the line allowed Sexton the chance to go for the try and he did it with style, finishing off a beautiful team move.

Relief and elation were painted all over the Ireland captain's face as he punched the air, embracing his teammates before putting over another conversion to bring his tally to a monumental 1,090.

Sexton celebrates after the game.

It makes him the joint fourth-highest point scorer in test history after Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson and Owen Farrell, and ties him with Wales' Neil Jenkins.

After the game in Nantes, Sexton spoke modestly on the record-breaking moment. "It's not about individual achievements for us, it's about winning the next game. We're delighted to get the results tonight and it's onto the next one now against the reigning world champions. It's nice personally but as a team, we move on from tonight to the next game against South Africa."

Head coach Andy Farrell added: "It's not about the tries or the points, or the goals he kicks. It's how he leads his men every day of the week, that's what makes him so special."