Leinster player ratings vs Leicester | Investec Champions Cup 2023/24
Leinster player ratings: Leinster’s performance against a resilient Leicester Tigers was far from the high standards they’ve set themselves, marked by uncharacteristic sloppiness.
It was a display riddled with errors and lacking in urgency and one which is unlikely to instil fear in their upcoming quarter-final opponents, La Rochelle.
Here’s how the players rated the Leinster players:
Andrew Porter – 5
Had a ding-dong battle with veteran England tighthead Dan Cole and it was one where he struggled to break even. His dependable runs gained valuable metres in heavy traffic, but his discipline was on the sloppy side.
Dan Sheehan – 6
Sheehan’s dynamic runs and supporting lines in the loose were highlights, but he also contributed to a faltering lineout. It was an issue for Ireland during the Six Nations as it seems it may have leaked over into Leinster.
Tadhg Furlong – 4
Smashing Hanro Liebenberg into touch to reverse a lineout was a fine first involvement. Furlong faced a challenging battle in the scrum however, enduring a struggle session against former Munster prop James Cronin, who was the best prop on the pitch.
Ross Molony – 6
Bath-bound lineout guru Molony faced challenges in managing Leinster’s lineout, which struggled for consistency throughout the match. His tackle count was right up in a first half where Leicester had the lion’s share of possession. Solid if unspectacular.
Joe McCarthy – 6.5
Showed great hands and awareness for Leinster’s opening try and worked hard in the tight exchanges. Provided much-needed momentum for what was at times a sleepy performance from the men in blue.
Ryan Baird – 5
A mixed bag from Baird, whose game was marred by a few too many errors. His middling handling in the lineouts contributed to Leinster’s struggles in that area, even if he had a couple of stellar moments in the loose.
Josh van der Flier – 5
A glaring missed tackle in the lead-up to Leicester’s first try stuck out. The off-colour flanker battled hard thereafter at the breakdown and in defence but found it tough to impose his usual influence.
Caelan Doris – 7
The skipper led from the front, demonstrating his quality with both ball in hand and in defence, taking the battle to the Gallagher Premiership hardmen. He was the best of the starting pack.
Jamison Gibson-Park – 8.5
Another masterclass, this time on his 50th Champions Cup appearance. More or less single-handedly dragged the home side back into the game with his pace around the park. His intelligent decision-making consistently put Leicester on the back foot.
Ross Byrne – 7
Leinster’s Mr Reliable proved to be a steady hand on the tiller, guiding his team with no little calmness. Though his performance might not have been all bells and whistles, his reliable management of the game helped Leinster navigate the trickier moments. Sustained a painful shoulder stinger in the 67th minute and came off.
James Lowe – 6
Booting the ball out of the full wasn’t an ideal start but Lowe’s imperious kicking game came right after that. Was kept relatively quiet with ball in hand thanks to a ferocious Tigers’ defensive effort. His sin-binning after halftime for a slapdown didn’t help matters, though Leinster came up evens thanks to Henshaw’s try.
Jamie Osborne – 6
Osborne was a notable physical presence in the midfield, effectively using his strength to engage defenders and create space. While his combination with Henshaw outside him was effective, his ball security needs a little polish. Getting bumped by Liebenberg was a poor way to end his evening.
Robbie Henshaw – 6
Henshaw’s experience and defensive smarts were vital in containing Leicester’s midfield attack. He carried competently even if he fell well short of lighting up the fixture. His intercept aside, we’re still waiting for the Henshaw of old to return on a full-time basis.
Jordan Larmour – 6
Larmour’s agility and speed were a constant danger, even if his ability to evade tackles and create opportunities for his teammates didn’t always translate to metres gained.
Hugo Keenan – 7
Despite returning from injury Keenan displayed few signs of rustiness, demonstrating his usual reliability and sharpness. Was safe under the high ball and tried to counter when possible, but Leicester’s coverage limited his effectiveness.
REPLACEMENTS:
Ronan Kelleher – 6
The lineouts certainly improved with Kelleher on the pitch.
Cian Healy – 6
Equalled Ronan O’Gara’s Champions Cup appearance record of 109. Brought his usual blend of experience and rough-as-guts edge to proceedings. Walked off injured with just two minutes on the clock.
Michael Ala’alatoa – 7
Was a marked improvement on Furlong’s so-s0 scrummaging.
Jason Jenkins – 7
Jenkins provided fresh legs in the 62nd minute, helping to sustain Leinster’s emerging forward dominance.
Jack Conan – 8
Conan’s presence was felt with every carry on his 50th Champions Cup appearance, as he managed to breach Leicester’s defensive line on multiple occasions, nearly scoring in the 58th minute, only for the TMO to pick up the knock-on. Righted that wrong to score on 71 minutes as Leinster poured on the sauce.
Ben Murphy – 7
Murphy got 18 minutes on the pitch, but Gibson-Park was a hard, hard act to follow. A decent outing nonetheless.
Harry Byrne – NA
Byrne was introduced late in the game for his brother Ross, with too little time to leave a mark on the match’s direction or outcome.
Ciaran Frawley – 6
Very nearly caught an intercept in the 68th minute, but didn’t get much of a look in other than that.
Comments on RugbyPass
Safas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
69 Go to commentsGreat 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.
69 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.
69 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
69 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.
69 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.
69 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.
69 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.
69 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.
69 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.
69 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!!
69 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 comments