Ireland tore Japan apart with a stunning display of attacking rugby, particularly from their dynamic pack, to mark captain Johnny Sexton’s 100th cap with an impressive 60-5 victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Twenty-nine unanswered first half points, including tries from James Lowe, Jamison Gibson Park and two for Andrew Conway — his first an outstanding team effort — overwhelmed the visitors, who had stunned the Irish at the World Cup two years ago.
Fittingly, Sexton — who had an almost perfect day from the kicking tee — got a try of his own before being mobbed by his teammates in the corner and given a standing ovation by the first near-capacity home crowd in 21 months.
Four more tries for Bundee Aki, centre partner Garry Ringrose, Cian Healy and a hat trick for Conway completed the rout for the relentless hosts, who will have given New Zealand something to think about before their trip to Dublin next week.