Leinster player ratings vs Sharks | 2025/26 URC

Leinster player ratings: Leinster returned to the Aviva and made light work of a disjointed Sharks outfit, running out convincing 31-5 winners despite the occasional bout of self-sabotage.

There was some vintage Leinster slickness in the first half before the benches levelled things out late on.

Here’s how they rated.

1. Paddy McCarthy – 7
Another impressively solid outing from the rookie loosehead, although the Sharks scrum didn’t exactly put him under siege. Handled Koch and Dreyer without much drama before being hooked on 50.

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2. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Lions tourist Kelleher hit his jumpers early doors and even dared a throw to the front that nearly turned into a try. Physical in contact and tidy in the loose. Made way at halftime with his stock quietly rising again.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Leinster

31 - 5

Full-time

Sharks

All Stats and Data

3. Tadhg Furlong – 7.5
Another returning Lions hero, Furlong won his mini-battle at scrum time and showed a couple of those deft touches that make him such a rare prop. Looked like a man enjoying himself again after a rough season or two of niggles.

4. Brian Deeny – 6
Did plenty of unglamorous work but drifted from view after a lively start. One of those nights where his graft will be noticed only in the review room.

5. Ryan Baird – 7.5
Dominated the skies, carried aggressively and added physical edge that swung momentum Leinster’s way.

6. Alex Soroka – 7.5
A live wire early on, almost pulling off a sensational chip-and-collect effort. Combined beautifully with Deegan in the lead-up to Osborne’s try. A couple of fumbles prevented a higher mark, but his energy set the tone.

7. Josh van der Flier (captain) – 8
First-time Leinster captain Van der Flier led from the front. Carried with venom, pinched a turnover under pressure on 16 minutes, and even grabbed a try for good measure. Inspirational outing.

8. Max Deegan – 8
Link play was sharp, though he threw one howler of an offload just after halftime. Redeemed himself instantly with a lovely dummy for the bonus-point try. A big performance from a player often overlooked.

9. Fintan Gunne – 8
Kept the Sharks guessing with smart snipes and crisp tempo. His break for Van der Flier’s try summed up his night – sharp, brave, and unpredictable. A real prospect.

10. Harry Byrne – 6
Byrne’s first regular-season Leinster start since 2024 after a stint with Bristol Bears. Began brilliantly, throwing a beauty for O’Brien’s try and looking eager to attack. Then imploded slightly with a daft hail-mary that gifted the Sharks a score. Overplayed his hand trying to make an impression – out of the Prendergast playbook of chaos. Not sure quite how he was awarded Player of the Match.

11. James Lowe – 7
Seemed to have a point to prove after a muted Lions tour. His grubber for Osborne was inch-perfect, and he looked more like his old mischievous self again. Just lacked the gas to finish a late one.

12. Ciaran Frawley – 6
Sedate but serviceable. Made metres, held the line, didn’t do much wrong nor much dazzling. A glue performance, which isn’t always a bad thing.

13. Robbie Henshaw – 6
Sharper than last week, with some neat touches and improved timing in attack. Then tweaked a hammy trying to reel in Jurenzo Julius and was subbed not long after halftime.

14. Jimmy O’Brien – 7.5
Brilliantly finished off a whip-smart set play for Leinster’s second. Also butchered a kick to touch in the first half that would have embarrassed a junior B winger. Net positive overall.

15. Jamie Osborne – 8
Finished his try superbly with an inside step after a perfect Lowe kick. Composed throughout and showed vision to spark Deegan’s score. Cool customer.

Replacements:

16. Gus McCarthy – 7
On for Kelleher and immediately bagged a close-range try. Contributed to a wobblier second-half scrum but worked hard in the loose.

17. Jack Boyle – 5
Gave away a yellow late on and contributed to Leinster’s brief spell of chaos at the scrum.

18. Thomas Clarkson – 6
Didn’t steady the scrum, which had held the upper hand.

19. Diarmuid Mangan – 6
Showed energy and aggression off the bench. Hardly put a foot wrong in his brief spell.

20. James Culhane – NA
Arrived too late to get a rating.

21. Luke McGrath – 6.5
Good defensive awareness, particularly in the tackle that led to Cooney’s intercept. Provided control when it was needed.

22. Hugh Cooney – 7
Alert and opportunistic with that intercept to kill off a Sharks attack. Will be pleased with his contribution.

23. Joshua Kenny – NA
Not on long enough for a full grade but showed he’s got serious gas. One to watch.