IRELAND coach Joe Schmidt praised Jonny Sexton as the fly-half helped his team beat Canada 50-7 in their opening World Cup match in Cardiff, writes Michael McCann.

Sexton was deservedly man of the match in Cardiff, showing superb kicking and running lines before being rightly withdrawn to save him for the greater future challenges that await.

“He played really well today — I think he passed 500 international points which is a huge milestone for him and hugely deserved for the effort he takes to prep himself for each game.”

Canada coach Kieran Crowley praised Sexton but pointed to the disparity in resources between the sides.

“[Sexton] is not one of the best paid rugby players in the world for nothing, his salary is more than all our squad put together.”

Canadian captain Sean O’Brien’s trip to the sin bin sparked a first-half try rush, withe Ireland taking four in under 10 minutes.