Ireland v Tonga as it happened: Sexton breaks points record as Irish win
Notably, captain Johnny Sexton broke Ronan O’Gara's all-time points record in the first period as the Irish mauled their opponents to lead 31-13 at the break.
Click here for all of our statistics from the match.
Commentary
Updates will appear here throughout the match...
22:06 BST - FULL-TIME: 59-16. All credit to Ireland, they've blown away a decent Tonga side tonight. A great way to prepare for their next match... against South Africa.
22:04 BST - Ireland get another converted try at the death! Herring with the try and Byrne again with the conversion. Game, set and match. 59-16.
21:52 BST - Any pre-match concerns Tonga would pose an issue for Ireland are being dismantled, the Irish have another converted try! Aki with the try and Byrne with the conversion. 52-16.
21:46 BST - Another converted try for Ireland! It was Aki with the try before Byrne's conversion. 45-16.
21:41 BST - Byrne, who replaced Sexton at the break, bags the conversion. 38-16.
21:39 BST - Lowe gets a try for Ireland! It's now 36-16.
21:38 BST - Both sides seem a lot more settled in the second period.
21:19 BST - We're not long back underway in France and Havili has scored another penalty for Tonga. 31-16.
21:07 BST - Some statistics below for your perusal at the break.
21:01 BST - That's the half! Ireland, inspired by their captain, take a well deserved lead in at the break. 31-13.
A little earlier, O'Mahony picked up a yellow card.
21:01 BST - And Havili makes good on his conversion. 31-13.
21:00 BST - Tonga get a try in before the half ends! It's Fifita. 31-11.
20:52 BST - Of course, the Irish skipper converts following his try. 31-6.
20:50 BST - It's another try for Ireland and it's Sexton, who breaks Ronan O’Gara's all-time points record. 29-6.
20:45 BST - Standard stuff from Sexton for the conversion. It's not looking good for Tonga now. 24-6.
20:44 BST - Hansen bags a try for Ireland! 22-6.
20:38 BST - Sexton, once again, makes no mistake with the conversion. 17-6.
20:37 BST - Try for Ireland and it's a sweet bit of play from Doris. 15-6.
20:34 BST - Tonga! Havili again scores a penalty. We have a game on our hands! 10-6.
20:30 BST - And, as expected, Sexton makes no mistake with the conversion. 10-3.
20:29 BST - Try for Ireland! It's Beirne down under the posts. 8-3.
20:26 BST - Quite the frantic start! Havili has scored a penalty to get Tonga back onto level terms early on. 3-3.
20:19 BST - Just prior to the start of the match, Tonga's players performed their 'Sipi Tau' pre-match war dance. Take a look at a picture of that below.
20:08 BST - Sexton gets Ireland off the mark with a converted penalty! 3-0.
20:01 BST - We are now underway at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes!
19:57 BST - The national anthems are now being played, the match edges closer.
19:49 BST - A reminder of the team news, in case you missed it:
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton, Murray; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; Beirne, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris
Tonga XV: Piutau; Taumoepeau, Fekitoa, Ahki, Kata; Mausia, Pulu; Fisi’ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna; Lousi, L Fifita; Halaifonua, Talitui, V Fifita
19:45 BST - We are now just 15 minutes away from the start of the match.
Ireland will, in fact, wear their white strip tonight against Tonga.
Ireland do come into the match in a fine run of form, winning their last four games. Tonga, however, have two wins from their last four.
Digging a little deeper, the Irish have actually won their last 14 matches (against other national teams). Little wonder why they're among the favourites in France.
Fun fact: Ireland and Tonga last met at a World Cup in 1987. The Irish won 32-9, which is hopefully a good omen for their side tonight.
