Leinster player ratings vs La Rochelle - Investec Champions Cup 2023/24
Leinster player ratings: Leinster claimed some long-awaited knockout revenge on La Rochelle in a match that promised much but ultimately ended up a one-sided spectacle at a sold-out Aviva Stadium. It was clear from the outset that these two teams knew each other’s playbooks almost as well as their own, but the home side were in the driving seat for this one, with the visitors not getting much more than a sniff.
Here’s how we rated the Leinster players:
1. Andrew Porter – 7
Porter held his own in a tough battle against Uini Atonio, giving as good as he got. His work rate was top-notch as usual, once again proving a real problem at the breakdown.
2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5
Sheehan’s lineout darts showed marked improvement from recent performances, providing Leinster with crucial accuracy and consistency in that area of the game that has been pretty cat recently. Was busy in the loose and popped up on the wing to score in the 56th minute.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 7
Furlong had the upper hand over the inexperienced Louis Penverne in the scrums and got on the ball a few times, even if he struggled to make headway against a fierce white and yellow defence. That said, generally came out on top in contact.
4. Joe McCarthy – 7.5
Joe McCarthy displayed maturity beyond his years, matching La Rochelle’s physicality blow for blow and proving a key asset in the tight exchanges. Showed he’s no slowpoke at the breakdown, with an early turnover relieving pressure on his teammates and late one kicking off a melee in the 77th minute.
5. Jason Jenkins – 6.6
The 124kg Springbok brought notable grit and heft to the proceedings, lending some much-needed physicality to Leinster’s efforts at the Aviva. Carried well in traffic on the few occasions he saw the ball.
6. Ryan Baird – 8
Baird proved he’s more than just an open-field threat, and was very much in amongst it in the trenches. Was Leinster’s most frequent carrier in the first half and got through a tonne of work. Deservedly got on the end of a 5-pointer after riding the tackle of Antoine Hastory on the flank.
7. Will Connors – 6
The 6’4 flanker’s selection was a talking point before the game, with many presuming his size saw him get the nod over Van der Flier after a good showing against Ronan O’Gara’s side back in December. He was tireless in defence and tried to be a nuisance at the ruck. Against that, failing to give the ball to Lowe in a 2-on-1 in the 21st minute cost Leinster a certain try.
8. Caelan Doris – 7
One of the more effective forwards, Doris carried bravely and was pivotal in several of Leinster’s key phases. His defensive work was top-notch, making crucial tackles that helped stymy the French side’s relentless bludgeoning attacks.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 8.5
After his heroics against Leicester, you might have expected Gibson-Park to be quieter, but you’d have been wrong. Now inarguably the defacto field marshal for this Leinster side, he came out well on top in his one-on-one battle with Tawera Kerr-Barlow, with a 37th-minute try to his name after he linked up on the flank with Lowe, care of a very flat offload. Was everywhere and even won an unlikely breakdown turnover.
10. Ross Byrne – 8
Despite his critics, the 31-year-old flyhalf showed he can steer Leinster when push comes to shove. His kicking game was on point bar one post hit and – a few middling tackle attempts aside – gave a really good account of himself. His tap-on pass for Lowe’s try was a highlight. Somehow survived a murder-ball hit from Levani Botia in the 45th minute.
11. James Lowe – 7.5
Lowe’s kicking game was a highlight, with Leinster frequently getting the better of the kick-tennis exchanges with Brice Dulin-less La Rochelle. Showed he is still one of the most dangerous carriers of the ball 10 metres out from the try line.
12. Jamie Osborne – 7
A solid performance from Osborne who generally defended well and tried to spark his side with some powerful charges up the centre. He found the occasional gap but his passing game and vision are still a work on. Kicked well too.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 7
Henshaw put in a hard shift in midfield, defending well. Occasionally punched holes in La Rochelle’s centre pairing of Jonathan Danty and Ulupano Seuteni, even if line breaks were in short supply.
14. Jordan Larmour – 7
A 13th-minute strip turnover was impressive and he had moments where his trademark elusiveness shone. That said, was more often than not well contained by La Rochelle’s organized defence, who read him well.
15. Ciaran Frawley – 7
A late call-up for Keenan, Frawley stepped up impressively, playing a crucial role with his solid defence and smart offensive choices. His 50th-minute shoot-out tackle on Teddy Thomas may have been a sliding-doors moment for La Rochelle. Was on the receiving end of some unmerciful hits.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Brought energy and impact off the bench, particularly in the loose where he challenged La Rochelle’s tired defenders.
17. Michael Milne – 7
Worked hard around the park, with more than a handful of positive contributions.
18. Michael Alaalatoa – 6
Provided continuity in the scrums when he came on, even if he didn’t offer a hell of a lot in the loose.
19. Ross Molony – 5
Didn’t have a huge impact on proceeding, with the game pretty much wrapped up when he came on.
20. Jack Conan – 7
Leinster’s very own one-man ‘Bomb Squad’, he made his presence felt with powerful runs and solid defence, even if it was a brief cameo.
21. Luke McGrath – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
22. Harry Byrne – 6.5
24-year-old man Byrne had limited time but managed a couple of tidy plays, showing promise in the brief outing.
23. Josh van der Flier – 7.5
Finding himself in the extremely rare position of bench warming, Van der Flier was exceptional when he entered the fray, making key tackles and bursts that reinvigorated Leinster’s challenge.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
54 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
54 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
54 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
54 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
54 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
54 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
54 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
54 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
54 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
54 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
54 Go to comments