Leinster player ratings vs Scarlets | 2024/25 URC quarter-finals

Leinster player ratings: Leinster booked their place in the United Rugby Championship semi-finals with a 33-21 win over Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

This was far from a perfect display from the hosts though, and only had a one-point lead heading into half-time. But they were able to pull away in the second 40.

On to Glasgow Warriors next week for the province.

Here’s how the players rated:

15 Hugo Keenan – 8.5
A faultless display, crowned with a try. Cleared up anything Scarlets threw at him and was able to bring the attack back to the Welsh outfit whenever they gave him space.

14 Jimmy O’Brien – 5.5
Rushed out of the line and didn’t catch his man as Scarlets by-passed the blitz for their opening try of the match. Quiet elsewhere, and was not given many opportunities.

13 Jamie Osborne – 7
Took his try after the break well, just getting enough pressure on a bobbling ball. His oppressive defence stifled the Scarlets’ attack in the second stanza as they looked to find a way back into the match.

12 Jordie Barrett – 7
The only criticism of the All Black was that he faded in and out of the game. After an influential start to the match, he went quiet as Scarlets clawed their way back into the contest. His second half was far more dominant, though, including an offload in contact to set up Keenan’s try.

11 James Lowe – 7.5
The Lion’s first try of the match was a walk-in, but his contribution for the second try of the match was far more impressive, putting Jack Conan through a gap. That thunderous left boot of his kept Scarlets pinned back deep in their own half.

10 Sam Prendergast – 5.5
A mixed bag from the fly-half. Smartly read a Scarlets lineout to nullify a set move from the visitors and perfectly weighted chip for Osborne’s try early in the second half. But dropped a dolly of a catch in the Scarlets’ 22 when Leinster had the opportunity to stretch their lead before the break – little did he know when the ball slipped through his fingers that the Scarlets would score at the other end just seconds later. Defence remains a worry with six missed tackles.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park – 6
A ‘Dupont-esque’ support line to score Leinster’s second try of the match in an opening quarter where he could do no wrong. Scarlets did exert more pressure on the No.9 though, and forced a few errors from him. His pass to Prendergast that led to Scarlets’ second try could have been more sympathetic.

1 Andrew Porter – 7.5
A really industrious shift from the Lions loosehead. While some of his team-mates in the pack are galavanting in the wider channels, he puts his head down and does the hard yards in the tight.

2 Ronan Kelleher – 6
Snaffled the ball from the darkest depths of a ruck when Scarlets had some rare momentum in the first half. Lineout wasn’t perfect, but still functioned during his 46 minutes on the field.

3 Thomas Clarkson – 6
If he had the chance again, he would surely have hit Tom Rogers with slightly more force to prevent Scarlets’ opener, although that is maybe too much to ask from a tighthead that is working their way across the field. Solid in the scrum otherwise.

4 Joe McCarthy – 8
Carried with noticeable ferocity, but still had the presence of mind to add some deft offloads into his play– a devastating combination. A statement performance from the Lion in the race to partner Maro Itoje in the engine room against the Wallabies.

5 James Ryan – 6
Had the reading of the Scarlets lineout which clearly played on their mind. That was his main contribution during his 46 minutes on the field.

6 Ryan Baird – 6
Save for one occasion, the flanker was not able to truly exhibit his athleticism, but was still a handful for the Scarlets in and around the breakdown.

7 Josh van der Flier – 6
Left the field before the half-hour mark having made a match-leading seven carries at that point.

8 Jack Conan – 7.5
Two assists in the opening 10 minutes, one after slicing through the Scarlets’ defence, was not a bad return. Though his game didn’t remain as flashy, he was still productive, making the most carries in the pack before he left the field (only to return again).

Replacements
16 Dan Sheehan – 8
A player who simply cannot help but have a major contribution in any match. Nicely linked with McCarthy at a lineout to break down the right flank and a charge-down soon after, which led to the try that sealed the win for Leinster.

17 Jack Boyle – 6
Made some punchy carries after coming onto the field.

18 Rabah Slimani – 5
Penalised at the scrum within seconds of entering the field of play.

19 RG Snyman – 6
Came out of the blocks firing from the bench with his flailing limbs constantly looking for an offload in contact.

20 Max Deegan – 6
Produced some robust shots during his cameo on the field.

21 Scott Penny – 5.5
Caught holding on within minutes of coming on in the first half. Hit rucks relentlessly during his hour on the field.

22 Luke McGrath – 6
With the game looking like it was wrapped up when he came on, the scrum-half’s job was to keep things ticking over, which he did.

23 Ciaran Frawley – N/A
A short cameo at the end.