Johnny Sexton became Ireland's top points scorer as Andy Farrell’s side secured a bonus-point World Cup win over Tonga in Nantes.
It was a performance that ticked a lot of boxes for the head coach.
Firstly, the side now head to Paris to face world champions South Africa with a maximum return of 10 points from two Pool B games.
Sexton got more minutes under his belt and, save for a head injury to Finlay Bealham, emerged largely unscathed against a tough-tackling Tonga outfit, who boasted four former All Blacks among their number.
A four-try first-half salvo also let Farrell empty his bench early. All eight replacements were on by the 55th minute at Stade de la Beaujoire, with perfect conditions allowing for Ireland to register eight tries.
They will also be particularly pleased that both Robbie Henshaw and Dave Kilcoyne returned after hamstring issues and showed no ill effects.
The tries came in good order and it’s a second ruthless display in a row, following last weekend’s rout of Romania.
The heavy lifting was done in the opening period with tries from Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen and Sexton, while James Lowe, Rob Herring and the outstanding Bundee Aki (2) crossed in the second half.
All eyes turn now to the Stade de France in seven days’ time and the showdown with the Springboks, who take on Romania in Bordeaux tomorrow afternoon.
It's not that Ireland were desperate to find their rhythm, but Farrell had selected an almost full-strength side and wanted to see them hum.
But the opening quarter was patchy at best. Ireland had more of the play but the sides were still level after 20 minutes.
Tonga conceded three early penalties, first allowing Ireland to work position before Augustine Pulu went off his feet at the breakdown close enough to the posts to make Sexton’s decision for him.
But Wayne Barnes penalised Peter O’Mahony twice in a short spell, the second looked a harsh obstruction call, and William Havili kicked a long-range equaliser in the 16th minute.
Andrew Porter thought he had put Ireland ahead after Afusipa Taumoepeau put down Conor Murray’s up and under but the TMO spotted a Hansen knock on in the build-up.
The scrum-half's sniping run inside the 22 moments later looked promising but the breakdown was sloppy and Tonga were let off.
But Ireland made no mistake the next time they got their hands on the ball. Sexton flung an inside pass to Doris and he fed Beirne, who, at full stretch, reached the whitewash under the posts.
Havili, brother of All Blacks centre David, hit back with a second penalty when Ireland were too slow to release.
But Ireland continued to build platforms, spoiling a couple of Tonga lineouts and getting the ruck ball away speedily to keep the Tongans on the back foot.
Charles Piutau, the former Ulster full-back, sidestepped opposite number Hugo Keenan on the counter but Ireland defence largely held firm.
The Six Nations champions soon worked the ball into the corner and a clever sleight of hand on the drop down saw the pack quickly outnumber their opponents before Doris emerged from the maul over the line with the ball.
Porter then won a turnover penalty on the halfway line that set in motion the move for Hansen to grab his eighth Irish try.
Ireland spread the ball quickly and outside the 22, Keenan and Ringrose got their passes away just in time and the Connacht wing cut inside three defenders first and then another two more for good measure before crashing over.
Momentarily poised nicely alongside Ronan O’Gara as Ireland’s joint-top points scorer after his penalty and three conversions, Sexton took the record with a stunning try.
Doris ran back a goal-line drop after Rónan Kelleher barged over but couldn’t dot down.
Murray dummied and delayed a pop to Garry Ringrose, who had two players in support and picked his 38-year-old captain.
He still had work to do but cut inside the cover and slid in before jumping for joy in front of the Irish supporters. His conversion took the Leinster and Lions out-half to 1,090 career points for his country.
Trailing by 25 points, Havili kicked a penalty to the corner and after a spell of sustained pressure, during which O’Mahony tested Barnes’ patience one time too many and was yellow-carded, number 8 Vaea Fifita powered over.
Havili converted but Ireland still had a handsome 31-13 lead at the break.
Farrell withdrew Sexton, Kelleher, Porter and Tadhg Furlong, with Ross Byrne, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne and Bealham introduced.
But the frantic nature of the game didn’t let up. Havili kicked another penalty and down the other end Ringrose raged as he somehow failed to get a touch on Murray’s grubber through.
Bealham’s night was to come to an end after just 10 minutes as he went off for a head injury assessment and Farrell also took the time to send on Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson for Ringrose and James Ryan.
Herring looked to have scored a tap and go try but the TMO brought the referee’s attention to a second movement and second late Fitita looked poised to score a second Tonga try with a mazy run but the ball popped out of his grasp as the Irish defence scrambled.
Craig Casey came on for Murray soon after and Ryan Baird took Doris’ place and while Ireland threatened close to the line again, it came to nought.
But after racking up 10 points in a row it was Ireland, playing in white, that got the crucial score to kill off any linger hopes of the Pacific Islanders, who are ranked 15th in the world.
Beirne first stole a Tonga lineout and moments later Casey took the ball off the back of the maul and sucked in the defender before popping to Lowe to power over, Byrne converting on this first World Cup appearance.
Aki, who scored two last weekend, then crossed for a quick-fire double that his performance deserved, his tries coming from perfectly timed passes from Byrne and Casey.
Herring eventually did get his reward as he bashed over for Ireland's eighth try of the evening at the death.
Job done, boxes ticked, roll on Paris.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw.
Tonga: Salesi Piutau; Afusipa Taumoepeau, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Solomone Kata; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (capt); Sam Lousi, Halaleva Fifita; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita.
Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Semisi Paea, Solomone Funaki, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takul, Fine Inisi.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
