While Ireland's win over Tonga yesterday was an important one, much of the post-match conversation has been dominated by Johnny Sexton after he passed yet another important milestone in his career.
The Irish captain became the nation's all-time top point scorer during the game, overtaking the mark previously set by Ronan O'Gara with a try in the first half.
The moment Sexton made history ☘️#RWC2023 | #IREvTGA pic.twitter.com/5UKRpQ6gbg
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 16, 2023
Of course, this moment would have been made all the sweeter by the fact that Sexton does not have that many matches remaining in his Ireland career. The legendary outhalf is set to hang up his boots at the end of the tournament, meaning his career will come to a close by the end of October at the latest.
As for what comes next, that remains uncertain.
Craig Casey jokes about Johnny Sexton joining Munster
Johnny Sexton has all of the characteristics of someone who could go on to become a top class coach, although it remains to be seen if he will opt to go down that route.
If it was up to one of his Ireland teammates, he would be making his way down the M7 to join his old rivals.
Speaking after making his own Rugby World Cup debut yesterday, Craig Casey said he has joked to Sexton about the possibility of taking up a role with Munster.
I've been saying that he's soon to retire and I'm trying to get him down to Munster as a coach next year!
It's great for Johnny and his family. I know his son Luca is another competitive little fella, he'll probably want to take over his dad's points record at some stage. I could see that.
It's unbelievable for him, it's a testament for him, the commitment he shows to the game is second to none… to pass over a legend like ROG is class and to have two lads there in Irish rugby is class.
Sexton and Munster is a combination that you can't imagine we will see anytime soon, even if he has formed a close bond with their young number nine in recent times.
As for Casey himself, he will be hoping that the appearance against Tonga will not be the only one he will be making at this tournament. He currently looks to be third choice scrum-half behind Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray, two players he admitted he has learned a lot from in recent months.
It's a competitive position and I want to keep pushing on. I'm obviously not happy to be third choice but I think to learn off two guys like that is great and try to soak it all in.
In the pre-season you get more of a chance to kind of bond. Obviously we know each other a good few years but there's not games every week that you are concentrating on. You are just concentrating on getting yourself better and bouncing off each other and it's been brilliant.
I can't say enough about the two lads, they are world-class operators and hopefully I can emulate them at some stage and be a world-class operator myself but to learn off them is brilliant. I just want to keep pushing them and get the squad better.
Craig Casey will play sparingly in this World Cup, but there is no doubt he will feature prominently for Ireland in future editions of the tournament.
While Johnny Sexton is at a very different stage in his career, the pair are most certainly united in their motivation to advance deep into this event over the coming weeks.
SEE ALSO: Johnny Sexton Had A Brilliant Ronan O'Gara Line After Breaking Scoring Record
