Leinster player ratings vs Stormers | 2026 URC semi-final

Leinster player ratings: Leo Cullen’s outfit started the brighter and, as they have done so often this season, looked capable of blowing the game open early.

But the Stormers hung around doggedly and ensured the hosts went into the interval with only a fragile 13-8 lead. Ultimately, it was the visitors’ ill-discipline, which saw them reduced to 12 men at one stage, that proved fatal. Leinster were far from flawless but had enough street craft to grind out a 20-11 victory and book their place in the URC final, a repeat of 2025 against the Bulls at Croke Park in 13 days time.

15. Hugo Keenan – 8
Produced one of the game’s defining moments when he tracked back 30 metres to haul down Imad Khan after a sloppy Leinster error threatened to undo their hard work. Alert, dependable and typically classy under pressure.

14. Jimmy O’Brien – 6.5
A few bright flashes in attack but also looked slightly uncertain under the high ball at times. His huge clearance kick in the 74th minute helped extinguish one of the Stormers’ final attacks.

13. Rieko Ioane – 8
Finished a slickly worked opening try after dummying past the cover defence and looked dangerous whenever he found space. Produced another excellent line break in the second half and was unfortunate not to add further reward.

12. Jamie Osborne – 5.5
His pass created Ioane’s try but thereafter endured a difficult afternoon against the Stormers’ line speed. Put under pressure repeatedly and struggled to impose himself consistently. Never quite looked totally comfortable.

11. James Lowe – 7
A mixed but influential display. Produced a huge hand-off on Wandisile Simelane and repeatedly carried with intent. Fumbled a high ball under pressure but compensated by acting as Leinster’s chief cheerleader, constantly geeing up team-mates and supporters alike.

10. Sam Prendergast – 6.5
Started brightly and controlled large parts of the first half with his kicking game. Landed two penalties and a conversion. Not everything came off, including a questionable chip kick and a few awkward turnovers but generally steered things well before departing.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 9
Vintage JGP. His first break created huge pressure early on and he controlled the contest throughout. A brilliant touchfinder early in the second half showcased his class. Then came the decisive moment, slaloming through the Stormers defence to score the try that finally created daylight. Outstanding. Even took a brutal ball to the head from Prendergast and survived.

1. Andrew Porter – 6
A frustrating evening cut short by injury after 21 minutes. Before departing he was involved in a scrum battle that never quite settled.

2. Ronan Kelleher – 6.5
Busy enough around the field without ever fully dominating proceedings. Found himself involved in a lineout platform that endured some early struggles but Leinster found their way eventually and he deserve credit.

3. Thomas Clarkson – 6
Locked horns with Ntuthuko Mchunu in an entertaining scrum duel. Lost some battles and won others as the contest swung back and forth.

4. Joe McCarthy – 6
Worked hard in the tight exchanges and carried diligently without producing many headline moments. Nowhere near his best but decent.

5. James Ryan – 6.5
Kept plugging away all afternoon and never stopped fighting. His work rate remained high throughout a bruising contest.

6. Max Deegan – 7.5
Recovered from having an early lineout pinched by Connor Evans to produce an industrious display. Claimed an excellent lineout steal after the break and contributed heavily around the park.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6.5
Knocked on during a promising early attack and things never quite fell his way. Still managed a key turnover recovery after the break and worked tirelessly as always.

8. Caelan Doris – 7
Powerful carrying set the tone early on and he continued battling after an awkward ankle incident shortly after half-time. Another influential captain’s shift.

Replacements – 6.5
Alex Usanov deserves special mention after arriving earlier than expected and producing a combative display, particularly in the scrum. Harry Byrne managed the closing stages effectively and added the conversion to Gibson-Park’s try. Rabah Slimani chipped in with a valuable breakdown penalty while Garry Ringrose marked his 150th Leinster appearance with a composed cameo.