Leinster player ratings vs Lions | 2025/26 URC quarter-finals

Leinster player ratings: A repeat of a regular season fixture Leinster had won comfortably only a few weeks ago, there was every expectation this would be another straightforward evening for the hosts, who were still nursing the bruises from their Champions Cup final mauling by UBB in Bilbao. In the end that is exactly how it played out. Leinster were sharper, more physical and vastly more clinical than a Lions side whose heads seemed to drop after the early scores. Once the floodgates opened there was no way back, with Leinster cruising into the URC semi-finals with a 59-10 victory.

15. Hugo Keenan – 7.5
Benefited from the slick handling that put him under the posts for Leinster’s second try. One unexpected spill aside, he was typically composed and safe at the back.

14. Jimmy O’Brien – 8
Electric in the opening quarter. His lovely looping pass put Dan Sheehan away for the opening try and he constantly threatened with ball in hand. Errors crept in during the middle period but finished strongly and deserved his late try.

13. Rieko Ioane – 7.5
One early midfield spill after a miscommunication with Osborne aside, this was one of his better Leinster displays. Soft hands helped create Keenan’s try and his pass for Scott Penny’s score was beautifully judged. Linked well with Osborne throughout.

12. Jamie Osborne – 7
A tidy and intelligent outing. Combined well with Ioane and helped Leinster’s midfield function despite the occasional bout of over-complication from the hosts’ ultra-flat attacking shape.

11. James Lowe – 8
Not much came off for him in the first hour and frustration occasionally showed. A dropped pass and limited impact by his standards. Finally found some space down the left after the break before producing the emotional moment of the night by crashing over for his record-breaking 70th Leinster try. The roar from crowd and teammates said everything. He bagged another on 81 minutes.

10. Sam Prendergast – 8
Back in the side after missing the Bilbao final and took full advantage. Kicked accurately from hand, covered kicks intelligently and his soft hands repeatedly unlocked the Lions defence. The intercept try on 46 minutes completely killed the contest. Enjoyed a comfortable ride behind a dominant pack but steered things expertly.

9. Luke McGrath – 7
Potentially his final Leinster appearance if things had gone badly, but there was never much danger of that. Provided crisp service and helped maintain tempo on a beautiful evening for scrum-halves. The odd pass was B-grade, but a decent showing overall.

1. Andrew Porter – 6
Workmanlike rather than spectacular. Scrummaged solidly enough although the Lions occasionally found some purchase. Carried hard without producing any major highlight moments.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5
Back to something approaching his best. Carried with menace from the opening exchanges and took his try brilliantly. A couple of questionable moments at lineout time, including a forward throw, prevent an even higher mark.

3. Tom Clarkson – 5.5
A late starter after Tadhg Furlong’s withdrawal. Mixed evening. Some scrum issues, a couple of penalties and the bizarre yellow card for an aborted piledriver-style tackle attempt severely damaged his rating.

4. Joe McCarthy – 8.5
Outstanding. Leaping around the park as though fuelled by the soft Dublin evening. Produced a huge carry before half-time, assisted Ryan’s try and seemed to appear everywhere. Relentless involvement from start to finish.

5. James Ryan – 7.5
Led from the front. Scored from close range after sustained pressure and was influential in Leinster’s set-piece dominance. A strong response from the lock.

6. Max Deegan – 7.5
Excellent lineout work and delivered the enormous hit on Chris Smith that directly led to Prendergast’s intercept score. Quietly effective throughout.

7. Scott Penny – 7.5
Produced a brilliant jackal penalty early on and finished off a slick Leinster move after the break. One dropped pass but otherwise another industrious display.

8. Caelan Doris – 7
Not his most eye-catching game but still highly influential. Produced the break that created Penny’s try and was consistently involved around the fringes.

Replacements – 7
The bench comfortably steered the game home. Gus McCarthy powered over almost immediately after arriving and Diarmuid Mangan slotted in seamlessly. Slimani and Usanov helped maintain equity at the set-piece while Gibson-Park and Henshaw ensured standards never dipped. Not spectacular, but effective.