Johnny Sexton urges Ireland to continue getting better after series win over New Zealand

Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton has urged his side to continue improving as they registered their first series victory over New Zealand.

Having suffered a 19-42 defeat in the opening game at Eden Park, Ireland made a dramatic comeback in winning the second Test with a 12-23 margin in Dunedin which was also incidentally their first win over the All Blacks a Kiwi soul.

With everything to play for, Andy Farrell's men riding on tries from Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan, Robbie Henshaw and Rob Herring sealed a 32-22 win in Wellington on Saturday to complete a 2-1 series victory which was also their first against the All Blacks.

“We’ve got a full season to play and it shouldn’t be ‘beat New Zealand and let’s wait for the World Cup’,” said Sexton, who went past 1000 points for his country during the Wellington game.

“There’s plenty more to play. There are big home games in November, there’s a Six Nations to play where we still haven’t achieved things we want to achieve in that.

“We got a Triple Crown this year but a championship or better would be something we’re aiming for, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be trying to progress and do that.

“It’s very Irish to think ‘oh, we have to take it easy now until the World Cup’. No, let’s keep making the most of it, let’s keep getting better.”

Ireland's next international assignment will be against South Africa, Fiji and Australia during their autumn series in November.