Leinster player ratings vs Edinburgh | 2025/26 URC

Leinster player ratings: For 70 minutes this looked like the sort of night that gnaws at Leinster teams. Edinburgh were organised, physical and threatening on first phase, while Leinster creaked under pressure and struggled to impose their usual authority.

The difference, as it so often is, came late. Leinster never panicked and once the squeeze arrived, Edinburgh simply could not live with it, leaving Leinster to bag a hard-fought 28-20 win.

Here’s how we rated the Leinster players.

1. Jerry Cahir – 7
A rare start and a proper examination. He was badly tested early by Paul Hill and there were moments when survival was the priority, but he grew into the contest impressively. Even started nicking the odd scrum in the second half, which counts as a small miracle in Leinster terms. Fast becoming a cult hero in D4.

2. John McKee – 6.5
Busy in the loose and threw himself into contact like a man trying to prove a point. His pass that saw Tector’s try chalked off was costly, but he was otherwise combative and effective. Accidentally rearranged Vellacott’s nose in the process.

3. Andrew Sparrow – 5
A tough night. Venter took him apart in the opening scrum and it set the tone early. To Sparrow’s credit, he kept carrying and didn’t hide, but this was a steep learning curve against serious opposition.

4. RG Snyman – 7
A slow, slightly error-strewn opening saw a knock-on and a poor pass, both met with a wry smile. Came into his own late on as Leinster tightened the vice, carrying hard and threatening offloads once Edinburgh were on the ropes.

5. Brian Deeny – 7.5
Excellent. Tidy at the lineout, alert defensively and his charge-down and regather early in the second half was the catalyst for momentum swinging Leinster’s way. Won a maul penalty too and rarely put a foot wrong.

6. Max Deegan – 6.5
Got Leinster’s first try by sheer force from close range and carried hard throughout. That said, he missed three tackles and fumbled with the line beckoning later on. A night of contrasts, but the positives just edged it.

7. Scott Penny – 9
Inevitable. As sure as night follows day, Penny scores tries in a Leinster jersey. Three near-identical finishes from close range, all perfectly timed and ruthlessly executed. Prolific and decisive. Baffling how he has avoided an Ireland cap.

8. Diarmuid Mangan – 5.5
Out of position and it showed at times. Quiet first half without major influence and replaced early in the second period. Solid enough but never fully comfortable at No.8.

9. Luke McGrath – 8
Outstanding. Brought urgency, tempo and edge to Leinster’s play when things were sticky. His sniping runs kept Edinburgh honest and he was the primary source of spark in a stop-start performance.

10. Charlie Tector – 8
Continues to impress. Kicked well from hand early, carried with real authority and thought he had a superb try before it was chalked off. Missed one penalty but otherwise marshalled things calmly and effectively.

11. Ruben Moloney – 7
Quiet first half due to lack of ball, but grew into the contest. Took a superb catch under pressure before halftime and made a crucial late break that set up the decisive score. Did exactly what was needed when it mattered.

12. Ciaran Mangan – 7
First start and handled it well. Brave in contact, tidy distribution and never looked out of his depth. Not flashy, but reliable and composed in a demanding midfield role.

13. Rieko Ioane – 6.5
Did plenty of grunt work and made at least one big defensive hit, but again saw precious little ball in space. Gave away two penalties and fumbled early in the second half, though not entirely to blame. Deserves credit for the sheer volume of work he got through.

14. Joshua Kenny – 6
Decent kicking game and looked solid defensively. Went off for a HIA late in the first half and his influence waned as a result. Functional rather than standout.

15. Andrew Osborne – 4.5
A difficult night. His kicking out of hand was a recurring problem, including one charged-down effort that nearly cost Leinster badly. Getting side-stepped by a 6’7, 120kg lock in open field will sting. Looked more comfortable when moved to the wing, but this was a learning experience at full-back.

Replacements – 7
A lively showing off the bench. Hugo McLaughlin brought energy and kicked well, Connors added physicality, and the front-row replacements helped Leinster’s scrum grow into the game. Not spectacular, but effective when it mattered.