Leinster player ratings vs Stormers | URC 2024/25

Leinster player ratings: Leinster secured a workmanlike 36-12 victory over the Stormers in a scrappy URC contest at the Aviva Stadium, with the Irish province showcasing their depth without quite reaching their peak.

Here’s how the Leinster players rated:

1. Jack Boyle – 7
A dependable shift in the young front row. More than held his own against Neethling Fouche at scrum time even if he wasn’t that busy in open play.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5
One of Leinster’s star names, Sheehan’s lineouts were a mixed bag on a wet night in Dublin. Wasn’t as explosive as usual, nor was his handling as secure; which is to be expected given his six-month absence from the game. His workrate off the ball was there though and he deserved his two tries.

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3. Rabah Slimani – 6
An at times pretty shambolic shift from the Frenchman, who was generally well beaten by Stormers’ loosehead Alistair Vermaak, most notably in the lead-up to Ben Loader’s try. His scrummaging admittedly improved as the game went on he showed some decent handling in the loose.

Fixture

United Rugby Championship

Leinster

36 - 12

Full-time

Stormers

All Stats and Data

4. RG Snyman – 8
An early fumble aside, Snyman’s physicality and lineout presence were key for Leinster. Not quite the fireworks of last weekend against Bath but his reputation alone attracted extra attention from the Stormers and his offloading did the rest.

5. Brian Deeny – 8
Deeny was pivotal in securing clean ball and disrupting the Stormers’ set piece. Carried strongly in tight channels and made several key interventions in defence.

6. Alex Soroka – 6.5
Soroka worked hard at the breakdown and made his tackles, even if he occasionally strayed into illegality.

7. Scott Penny – 6
While Penny was industrious around the park, tackling everything that moved, it maybe wasn’t his most impactful performance in a blue jersey. Faded into the background a little.

8. Max Deegan – 7.5
Deegan’s effective and frequent carrying was a bright spot for Leinster. He provided crucial go-forward ball and was a dependable option at the lineout.

9. Luke McGrath – 7
Controlled the tempo effectively and his experience showed in key moments. Took what looked like a neck injury just before half-time and didn’t return.

10. Ross Byrne – 6.5
A composed performance from the fly-half. His goal-kicking was spot on, although on one or two occasions he didn’t look alive to the attacking opportunities being created by those around him.

11. James Lowe – 8
Another returning from an injury layoff, Lowe caused issues for the Stormers’ defence on the rare occasion that he popped up in attack. Sheehan owes him a pint after he set up both of the hooker’s tries, and he bagged his own in the 63rd minute.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8
Barrett’s class was evident in his distribution and defensive reads. Took his 57th-minute try with a line that would have made Shakespeare proud.

13. Liam Turner – 5
Turner worked hard in defence but didn’t see much of the ball in attack in his 26 minutes on the field. Shipped a lower leg injury which he couldn’t jog off and was replaced by Charlie Tector.

14. Andrew Osborne – 8
Showed more than a few glimpses of promise and imposed himself against Stormers with no little physicality. Took his first try well after being put over in the corner by Barrett and his opportunistic second effort showed real smarts.

15. Henry McErlean – 7
Got off to the perfect start with an accomplished touchfinder. Dependable under the high ball on his season debut, without getting a chance to turn it on in attack. A couple of missed tackles blotted the copybook but far more good than bad.

Replacements:

16. John McKee – 6.5
Slotted in seamlessly at set-piece time but didn’t have a major impact in open play.

17. Paddy McCarthy – 7
Worked hard in the loose on his season debut and scrummaged well.

18. Rory McGuire – 6
A solid cameo in the front row without much to note.

19. Diarmuid Mangan – 6
Threw himself around after coming on the 54th minute.

20. James Culhane – 6
Showed good intent.

21. Will Connors – 5
Added defensive solidity but had little chance to influence the game in attack and gave away a penalty that lead to a Stormers’ try.

22. Cormac Foley – 6
A decent contribution at scrum-half after being thrown in the depend following McGrath’s injury. Gave away a silly penalty diving on a downed Stormer in the 73rd minute. Went off with a HIA before the final whistle.

23. Charlie Tector – 6.5
Looked assured when introduced for Turner, without pulling up trees.