Ireland boss Andy Farrell hailed the composure and togetherness of his players after the world's top ranked team launched its bid for a first World cup crown with an 82-8 annihilation of Romania on Saturday afternoon in Bordeaux.

Skipper Johnny Sexton scored 24 points - including two tries - to take him to within 10 points of overhauling Ronan O'Gara's points record.

Peter O'Mahony, Bundee Aki and Tadgh Beirne also went over twice as the European champions turned on the style to overwhelm their willing but limited opponents with 12 tries.

"There were a few errors with discipline," said Farrell after Ireland's record win at a World Cup.

"But I thought that after half-time we were very composed. We showed our intent and togetherness and our skill level was very good."

And it started so abjectly for Ireland at the Matmut Atlantique on a swelteringly hot afternoon. Hinckley Vaovasa collected one of Sexton's kicks and set up Gabriel Rupanu for the first try of the game.

Rupanu missed the conversion and within minutes Ireland were level through Jamison Gibson Park.

Sexton atoned for his blunder with a two-point conversion to give Ireland a lead they would never relinquish.

Need

"I definitely needed a game," said Sexton who had not played competitively since March due to injuries and suspension.

"There's never a game where you are 100 per cent happy but we'll enjoy this evening, maybe watch the other matches and get ready for Tonga."

The result left thousands of Ireland supporters singing in the stands and carousing heartily as they wended their way back for further celebrations in Bordeaux city centre.

Leading status, said Frank, was an aura that the team was finally beginning to embrace.

Read more on RFI English

Read also:
France tightens Rugby World Cup security to avoid repeat of stadium chaos
Greenpeace slams TotalEnergies' sponsorship of Rugby World Cup in France as 'sports-washing'
Hosts France lead the charge for glory in Rugby World Cup