Leinster player ratings vs Scarlets | 2025/26 URC

Leinster player ratings: Leo Cullen’s men arrived at the Aviva Stadium as overwhelming favourites, yet their early tempo carried none of the assurance of a side accustomed to dictating terms in Dublin. Scarlets didn’t read the script and came out of the blocks far hotter than an error-stricken home side.

Leinster were loose, inaccurate, and repeatedly punished by a Scarlets outfit playing with an ambition that belied their recent struggles. Eventually, the home side hit their straps, and a trio of second-half scores pushed Leinster clear for a 36-19 win that felt far less comfortable in real time than it ended up looking on the scoreboard.

Here are the Leinster player ratings.

1. Andrew Porter – 6.5
A competent return after a long layoff. Put in a tonne of tackles and looked physically dialled in, though the scrum battle didn’t entirely swing Leinster’s way during his stint.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7
Caught by the cold ball once but carried forcefully, including a big burst in the lead-up to Tommy O’Brien’s opener. Lineout not perfect but his overall contribution suggested a welcome upward curve in form.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 7.5
Conceded an early scrum penalty for going off his feet but responded by dominating contacts. A trademark power carry set the platform for Ringrose’s try.

4. Joe McCarthy – 8
A huge turnover steal on nine minutes changed the early pressure narrative. Relentless in collisions and almost created a late try with a superb offload. Another major outing, although not blemish-free.

5. Brian Deeny – 6.5
Second yellow card in consecutive weeks, which remains the big caveat. Outside of that, worked industriously, carried hard early, and finished with a strong defensive shift.

6. Max Deegan – 7.5
Outstanding in the lineout, securing the bulk of Leinster’s ball. Solid around the field and finished his close-range try with control.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6.5
Big early carry and top of the tackle count, though he fell off a costly one?on?one on 19 minutes. Not his tidiest outing but still influential.

8. Caelan Doris – 7
Spilled possession twice and was pinged for breakdown overreach. Battled defensively but lacked his customary dynamism with ball in hand.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Service crisp and tempo sharp. Nearly scored a breakaway but three turnovers conceded dragged the score down. A decent outing overall before being replaced.

10. Harry Byrne – 7
Three missed conversions from his first four efforts and six tackles missed in defence. But with ball-in-hand he was very good, steering Leinster’s attack fluidly and throwing the gorgeous wide pass for Kenny’s second try. A game of significant positives and some negatives.

11. Joshua Kenny – 8
One of Leinster’s brightest sparks. Defended his flank well early, almost conjured a miraculous finish, broke repeatedly, and scored twice. Overcooked one chip but delivered a proper winger’s performance.

12. Jamie Osborne – 8
Looks at home at inside centre. Strong in contact, distributed beautifully and linked play with maturity. His soft hands sparked several line breaks and he delivered a lovely offload on 63 minutes.

13. Garry Ringrose – 7.5
Off early for a HIA but returned to organise Leinster’s defence and score a sharp try after good phase pressure. Showed classy touches before being withdrawn.

14. Tommy O’Brien – 8.5
Man of the match. Two clinical tries in the second half, constant threat, and the crowd-pleasing, full-blooded try-saving intervention on 79 minutes that drew a booming “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy” from the Aviva. A supreme display.

15. Jimmy O’Brien – 7.5
Thumped Blair Murray with a big defensive shot, defended all evening strongly, and added zip to Leinster’s attacking links. Looked back in rhythm.

Replacements

16. Gus McCarthy – 6.5
All intent and energy off the bench. Positive contribution.

17. Jerry Cahir – 5.5
Caught out defensively for Scarlets’ 71st?minute try. A tough cameo.

18. Rabah Slimani – 6
Scrum didn’t fully stabilise after his introduction.

19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh – NA
Not on long enough for a rating.

20. Alex Soroka – NA
On and off quickly for Doris’ HIA.

21. Fintan Gunne – 7
Box-kicking still not fully polished but noticeably improved from recent outings. High tempo and busy.

22. Sam Prendergast – 6
Charged down once and occasionally hesitant, but showed flashes of quality with his probing kicks and hands.

23. Robbie Henshaw – 5.5
On early for Ringrose, fell off one tackle and never really got into this one.