Johnny Sexton played his 100th game for Ireland as he scored 16 points in the 60-5 win over Japan, to kick off their Autumn Nations Series.

Sexton became the seventh Irish player to reach a century of caps and his impressive performance today hushed the critics that the Leinster fly half is well past his best.

There was a vast number of empty seats at the Aviva Stadium, with many turning their noses up at the expensive ticket prices, leaving the attendance at an underwhelming 40,000 mark.

Ireland opened the scoring inside four minutes through simple hands, with Bundee Aki picking out James Lowe, who raced in to score out wide, with centurion Sexton improving the try.

Andrew Conway doubled the home side’s lead, as Ireland’s mobile pack used neat hands to get the ball out wide, with the winger finishing well in the corner for a converted try.

Conway scored his second inside 20 minutes, as slick hands off a line out proved decisive to give the winger space out wide, to finish in the corner once more.

Sexton increased the home side’s lead to 22 with a close-range penalty, before Jamison Gibson-Park got in on the act as he went over for a simple finish, assisted by Garry Ringrose.

On the stroke of half time, Atsushi Sakate was yellow carded after repeated Japanese infringements in the Ireland 22.

Sexton crossed for a converted try himself after a quick Ireland line out, with the crowd responding with a warming, obligatory standing ovation.

Things went from bad to worse for Japan, as Aki crossed for the try of the day as Ireland combined for a beautiful try, full of offloads, that was finished by the powerful centre.

Japan got on the scoreboard after a powerful break from Highlanders No.8 Kazuki Himeno, which led to Siosaia Fifita finishing out wide for an unconverted score.

In the 61^st minute Sexton received another heart-warming ovation, as he was replaced by his possible successor Joey Carberry.  

Ringrose continued his streak of scoring every time he’s faced Japan, with the centre bundling over from close-range.

Player of the Match Conway completed his hat-trick as a chip through by Conor Murray was pounced on by the winger for a simple finish.

The home side sealed the win with a pick and go score from fellow centurion Cian Healy.