Sexton in charge of Ireland's destiny

JOHNNY Sexton masterminded Ireland's biggest World Cup victory in his first match for nearly six months and if in the coming weeks they will face harder questions than Romania came up with, they burned with resolve in searing heat.

- PAUL REES

Ireland never let up even at the end when, with time up and in possession near their line, they did not kick the ball dead but kept it in hand and were rewarded with their 12th try, scored by flanker Tadhg Beirne who never let up as the temperature nudged 100 degrees.

It was far from a flawless performance with three lineouts bungled, tackles missed and passes dropped, but they showed a ruthlessness against game but limited opponents who had the temerity to open the scoring after two minutes when Hinckley Vaovasa collected Sexton's kick in his own half and set up his half-back partner Gabriel Rupanu.

Sexton took over after that setback, taking the ball to the line where he was abetted by Bundee Aki whose power and speed were too much for overworked defenders. Romania, whose midfield was bulked up by Pacific islanders, were comfortable taking contact but Sexton's tendency to drift and Jamison Gibson-Park's range of passing sent runners into holes.