Skipper.

Ireland kickstarted their Autumn Nations Series campaign in some style today with a nine-try, 60-3 demolition of Japan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

A hat-trick of tries for Munster’s Andrew Conway, and one each for James Lowe, Jamison Gibson Park, Bundee Aki, Johnny Sexton, Garry Ringrose, and Cian Healy ensured a comfortable win for the men in green in front of a big home crowd.

Captain Johnny Sexton earned his 100th cap for Ireland and was one of the star performers alongside the likes of Lowe, Aki, Conan, and three-try hero, Conway with the mighty All Blacks up next for the men in green.

Sexton spoke to RTE after the game in a stunning interview that showed just how much today meant for the veteran out-half. He fought hard to hold back in the tears in a rousing interview that earned him a rousing round of applause from his teammates and the crowd.

“That try in the corner was one of the best moments of my career by far. I’ll never forget it,” Sexton said.

“But to be honest I feel a little bit guilty.

“The last two years Cian Healy got his 100th cap in an empty stadium, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden retired in an empty stadium…for me to get the chance to do this today, I’ll remember it forever.”