Milestones have been sprinkled throughout Johnny Sexton’s sensational career and he claimed his latest slice of rugby history in Nantes on Saturday.
As Ireland romped past Tonga in the Rugby World Cup, the fly-half moved past Ronan O’Gara to become Ireland’s record points scorer.
The 38-year-old British & Irish Lion has made smashing records look as easy as a conversion from in front of the posts across an international odyssey which has spanned 14 years.
Here, we revisit 10 of the best landmarks which have defined one of the game’s greatest ever 10s.
Captain, leader, legend. History maker. 💚#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/CQT46Kd6ss
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 17, 2023
First game: Leinster 62 – Border Reivers 14, January 2006
On a chilly Friday evening in Donnybrook, a fresh-faced Sexton made his first inroads into the professional game, as a late replacement in a Celtic League clash.
Sexton was a 75th minute replacement for captain Felipe Contepomi as Leinster brushed Border Reivers aside courtesy of a Gary Brown hat-trick.
The 20-year-old earned the call-up after a string of impressive performances for St Mary’s College and was handed his club debut by Michael Cheika, with little more than 4,000 people in attendance.
First trophy: Champions Cup, May 2009
If we discount the 2002 Leinster Schools Senior Cup then it was 2009 when Sexton won his first major trophy, masterminding his side’s first success in the competition.
An injury to Contepomi early in Leinster’s semi-final with Munster looked to have shattered their tilt at European glory but up stepped Sexton to save the day.
After Sexton and the rising blue tide thwarted the reigning champions, they beat Leicester Tigers in a nail-biter in Edinburgh, with 23-year-old Sexton kicking the winning penalty 10 minutes from time.
First Ireland cap: 2009 Autumn Internationals
After demonstrating his big-match credentials in the spring, Sexton navigated an awkward first international assignment at a sodden RDS Arena against a supremely physical Fiji side.
In a 41-6 victory, Sexton kicked seven from seven and was awarded the Man of the Match award.
He retained his place for the visit of South Africa a week later and kicked all 15 points in a thrilling five-point victory over the World champions, despite finishing the game with a broken bone in his hand.
First Lions Tour: Australia, 2013
While Sexton’s first Rugby World Cup may not have gone to plan, his first Lions Tour was a roaring success.
READ MORE: The history of the Lions and the World Cup
He scored 10 minutes into his first start in the famous red jersey in a 69-17 demolition of Western Force and was picked from the off in each of the three Tests.
In the decider, he scored the first of three tries in a relentless 10-minute spell which helped the Lions to a 2-1 series triumph – their first since 2001.
Second Lions Tour: New Zealand, 2017
Four years later and Sexton once again was at the heart of a memorable Lions series.
After coming on as a second-half replacement in the first Test, Warren Gatland restored Sexton to the starting XV for the second as the Lions won in New Zealand for the first time since 1993.
He kept his place for the 15-all draw in Auckland and quite literally put his body on the line, playing until the 72nd minute despite a broken wrist and a rupture to his ankle tendon.
First Six Nations Grand Slam: 2018
Sexton may have been a part of Six Nations winning sides in 2014 and 2015, but a Grand Slam was the one accolade missing from his coveted CV.
Until 2018, when Ireland roared to a clean sweep, with Sexton kicking the goal that saw them win improbably in Paris with the clock in the red in round one.
And after completing their victory tour at Twickenham, Sexton was later crowned World Player of the Year, becoming only the second Ireland player to do so after Keith Wood won the inaugural award in 2001.
🎥 Stade de France, 2 mars 2018 : Jonathan Sexton éteint la lumière après la sirène #SixNations2023 pic.twitter.com/MKARfg7Pzh
— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) January 19, 2023
Century of caps: Ireland 60-5 Japan, November 2021
Sexton stylishly celebrated his 100th cap with a second half try as Ireland cruised to victory over Japan in Dublin.
Sexton became only the seventh Irishman to reach a century of appearances – following Brian O’Driscoll, O’Gara, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell, John Hayes and Cian Healy – and was afforded a standing ovation ahead of kick-off.
GO DEEPER: Moments that made them – Johnny Sexton
And just as he did in 2009, Sexton followed up a milestone appearance with an even more memorable display, as Ireland beat New Zealand 29-20 to re-affirm their status as one of the world’s best sides.
On top of the world in New Zealand
Sexton was at his masterful best down under, as Ireland became the first side in 28 years to win a series in New Zealand.
He controlled the decider in Wellington with unflinching composure, passing the 1,000 Test points mark in the process.
The 33-22 victory saw Andy Farrell’s side become the world’s number one ranked side, moving past France who had pipped them to the Guinness Six Nations earlier in the year.
Well done Vinny Hammond Head of Analytics & Jonathan Sexton Irish Rugby Captain. Team mates in school. A famous series win in New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/P6z5ntA0IP
— St Mary’s College 🇸🇴 (@StMarysCSSp) July 16, 2022
Double delight on home soil
Ireland’s star man bid goodbye to the Guinness Six Nations as a Grand Slam winning captain and the Guinness Six Nations’ record points scorer, all in his home stadium.
READ MORE: When the Lions faced Canada in 1966
A week on from levelling O’Gara on 557 points in the Championship, Sexton moved past his old adversary, fittingly, against England, the same team he started his Six Nations career against in 2010.
It may have been Ireland’s third Slam of the Six Nations era, but it was their first at home since 1948 and one which will forever be synonymous with Sexton’s record-breaking exploits.
“I’m So Proud Of You Dad ❤️”
Fantastic pics from @DanSheridan2012 here as Johnny Sexton celebrates his Grand Slam triumph with his children #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/U8MO8OdXLA
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) March 18, 2023
Ireland’s number one
And Sexton etched his name deeper into Irish rugby’s history books with his try in Saturday’s World Cup win over Tonga.
His fine finish under the posts took him clear of O’Gara as he became his country’s leading scorer, ending the night on 1,090 points with only Owen Farrell, Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter ahead of him in the all-time list.
Now, the single honour which eludes him is a World Cup crown – few would bet against the man for the big occasion delivering one final heroic performance.
