Leinster player ratings vs Northampton | 2023/24 Champions Cup
Leinster player ratings: How Northampton Saints stayed in this one is hard to fathom, given there was only one side in it for much of the game. Had Leinster lost this one, it will have surely gone down as one of the biggest chokes in Irish rugby history.
Thankfully for the Irish side, they narrowly avoided getting egg on their collective faces.
Here’s how we rated the Leinster players.
1 Andrew Porter – 6
Didn’t have it all his own way against Trevor Davidson by any means, despite a perceived gap in class between the pair. If anything it was Leinster’s front row that were leaking penalties in the first 40. Leinster came out on top in that area by the time 80 minutes was up.
2 Dan Sheehan – 6
Sheehan’s lineout throws were improved after a few patchy weekends on that score. Often to be found lurking on the flanks but there were none of his usual heroics here.
3 Tadhg Furlong – 6
Certainly up for the fight but struggled to make headway in contact against a determined Saints’ pack. As with Porter, the scrum remains a concern for the Irish province. It was a mess, and while it may have broke even today, it’s a lottery they can’t afford to play against Toulouse or Harelquins.
4 Ross Molony – 6
Did an excellent job disrupting Saints’ lineout and remained combative throughout his time on the pitch. A canny buy for Bath and Leinster will certainly miss his durability.
5 Joe McCarthy – 7
A big game from Big Joe, even if there were a couple of turnovers into the mix. Has that Test level physicality that allows him to mix it with games’ bigger bruisers. A real bully boy in the best sense and a nightmare to play against.
6 Ryan Baird – 6
More workmanlike than spectacular from Baird – in the first half at least. Got through plenty of rough stuff. Sparked in the second 40 minutes – the Croke Park crowd getting treated to a trademark 30-metre gallop from the blindside in the lead-up to Lowe’s third try. Running the ball laterally across Leinster’s try line on 55 minutes wasn’t a good look.
7 Josh van der Flier – 7.5
An industrious outing for the openside, who was a thorn in the side for the visitors for 50 minutes, repeatedly suffocating the English side at the breakdown and on their own ball.
8 Caelan Doris – 7
Doris was an implacable presence in the back row, combining well with his fellow flankers to dominate the breakdown. His ball-carrying provided go-forward at critical times, energizing the 82,000 fans in attendance.
9 Jamison Gibson-Park – 8.5
Another JGP masterclass. His pass for James Lowe’s opening was world-class and his kicking game was impeccable. Not at fault for Leinster nearly fumbling this one.
10. Ross Byrne – 6
On point in the first half, barely putting a foot wrong and very nearly running in an intercept but for a lack of a pace. He doesn’t have that superstar quality that many expect flyhalves to possess but he’s an efficient operator. A couple of close misses with the boot kept Saints in this one however.
11. James Lowe – 8
A handy break up the right hand set the tone for Lowe, who the Saints struggled to contain all match. Deservedly got on the end of a perfectly weighted JGP pass to open Leinster’s account and crossed again minutes later. A third would follow. His kicking was bloody brilliant too.
12. Jamie Osborne – 7
A battering ram in the midfield for the men in blue, even if a couple of unforced errors blotted his copybook in Croke Park. An exciting prospect in the making.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 7
A very decent outing for Henshaw, who was a stifling presence when it came to Northampton’s midfield, who frankly struggled to string together anything that resembled an attack.
14. Jordan Larmour – 6
Didn’t see a huge amount of ball in the first half but brought tonnes of energy even if Lowe’s wing saw the Lions’ share of the action. Would have been nice to see him get on a ball more often.
15. Ciaran Frawley – 8
A few questionable calls early on, a 50/50 crossfield kick-pass with 4 minutes on the clock being one. His kicking was pretty much perfect after that, keeping Saints’ back three pinned back. Picking a Northampton penalty kick and landing pitchside before booting it was the sort of hyper-confident fullback flex you love to see.
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Ronan Kelleher – 6
Came on with vigour, adding fresh dynamism to the forward pack.
17 Cian Healy – 6
The lone survivor of 2011, Healy broke the record for most capped Investec Champions Cup player of all time with 111.
18 Michael Alaalatoa – 6
Solidish in the scrum after coming on for Furling on 60 minutes.
19 Jason Jenkins – 6
Good energy off the bench from the big South African, tackled hard.
20 Jack Conan – 6
Came on for Josh van der Flier, suggesting Leo Cullen wanted to add some bulk to proceedings. Got stuck in.
21 Luke McGrath – NA
Didn’t feature.
22 Harry Byrne NA
Not on long enough to rate.
23 Jimmy O’Brien – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments