Leinster player ratings: Andrew Porter dispels ‘concerns’ with ‘fantastic showing’ but Sam Prendergast’s ’embarrassing’ defence almost costly
Andrew Porter and Sam Prendergast in action for Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup.
Following a 29-25 victory over RC Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, here are the player ratings for Leinster.
15 Hugo Keenan: After the aerial masterclass Keenan gave against Sale Sharks, Toulon quite rightly didn’t kick too much in that direction. He didn’t manage to influence the game as a result, but he was, as ever, solid in every facet. 6
14 Tommy O’Brien: Adds that sprinkling of stardust out wide as O’Brien constantly probed. Came off his wing, was always a threat with ball in hand and rarely lost the aerial duel. 7
13 Garry Ringrose: Has had his criticism this season, particularly with his defensive work, but he led that rush defence superbly in Dublin, especially after losing his midfield partner early in the encounter. 7
12 Robbie Henshaw: Unfortunately, he didn’t finish the first quarter after being stretchered off following a nasty blow to the head. Hopefully it’s not too serious. N/A
11 Rieko Ioane: Started well with some threatening bursts down the left, while he also went looking for work, but errors crept into his game, which almost cost them a try. Overall, there were more positive contributions, but there was the odd heart-in-mouth moment. 6
Contrast in half-backs
10 Harry Byrne: You still worry about that Leinster fly-half position, especially when it comes to the final, with Byrne not exactly convincing on Saturday. The hosts predominantly played off nine, which helped, but when he was involved, a kick-off went long, he struggled off the tee and he was sin-binned in the opening period. 4
9 Jamison Gibson-Park: While they struggle at 10, they thankfully have one of the best scrum-halves in the world to guide them around the field, and Gibson-Park was magnificent. Will rue a knock-on at the base, which denied him a try, but the Ireland star was otherwise faultless to lead them into the Champions Cup final. 9
8 Caelan Doris (c): Rather ill-disciplined in the first half, with some stupid actions from the captain rather summing up their problems, but Doris listened to the referee to clean up his act after the break and produce a superb display. 8
7 Josh van der Flier: Like Doris, the flanker had his disciplinary problems but Van der Flier had a few more positive actions during his time on the field before a head injury ended his game prematurely. 7
6 Jack Conan: Wasn’t quite as much of a penalty machine as his fellow Ireland loose forwards, but Conan was also quieter generally before he, too, succumbed to injury. 6
Set-piece excellence
5 James Ryan: An absolute workhorse in the engine room, although that is to be expected, as he put himself about on both sides of the ball. Was the joint top tackler and did his job excellently in the lineout. 7
4 Joe McCarthy: Physical and abrasive, McCarthy did plenty of hard yards close to the ruck as Leinster controlled the gain line battle for much of the match, but he wasn’t as dominant in the carry as usual. 6
3 Tom Clarkson: The scrum was the big worry for the Irishmen heading into this clash but Clarkson kept Jean-Baptiste Gros at bay with some fine set-piece work. In fact, the starting Leinster trio got the better of their opponents. 7
2 Dan Sheehan: Fine set-piece work but couldn’t quite impact the match in the loose as he usually does. Sheehan was solid without being spectacular. 6
1 Andrew Porter: There were fitness worries heading into this clash, but he put those concerns to bed with a fantastic showing. That was despite being yellow-carded for a head-on-head collision. Porter was superb in the loose, getting over the gain line regularly, while he dominated Kyle Sinckler in the scrum. 9
Replacements: Jamie Osborne put in a shift in defence after coming on for Henshaw, while Jerry Cahir’s cameo while Porter was off the field following his yellow card was important, but it was Toulon who were better following the raft of substitutions in the second period and almost produced an unlikely comeback. Sam Prendergast’s turnstile defence was particularly notable in the latter exchanges, with his attempted tackle for Gael Drean’s try utterly embarrassing. 4
READ MORE: Leinster advance to Investec Champions Cup final after narrow triumph over Toulon