Leinster player ratings: Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley show there is life after Johnny Sexton

Following a superb 16-9 victory over La Rochelle in the Champions Cup clash at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Sunday, here are the player ratings for Leinster.

15 Hugo Keenan: Superb at the back and cleared up incredibly well in horrible conditions. His ability under the high ball was invaluable. 8

14 Jordan Larmour: Had a simple finish for the try but he didn’t get much chance elsewhere. Did the basics pretty well elsewhere. 6

13 Garry Ringrose (cc): Became sole captain after James Ryan was admonished by referee Matthew Carley and led the team well. Was very good without the ball. 7

12 Robbie Henshaw: Like Ringrose, he did his job defensively and stopped La Rochelle from getting too much momentum in the midfield. 7

11 Jimmy O’Brien: Lovely pass for the try and another to play his part in defusing the La Rochelle aerial bombs. 7

10 Harry Byrne: Didn’t last until half-time but, what he did do, he did well. Linked with O’Brien for Larmour’s score and generally took the right options. 7

9 Jamison Gibson-Park: A mixed game from the scrum-half, who made a couple of errors which could have cost his side, but he also did some good things. 6

Dogged forward effort

8 Caelan Doris: Not quite at his best, although he was always a presence in carry, defence and at the breakdown. 7

7 Will Connors: Was Leinster’s most prominent forward during his time on the field. Absolutely emptied the tank with some big hits, while he was an absolute nuisance at the breakdown. 8

6 Ryan Baird: Shows the depth and quality that the Irishmen have when the likes of Baird and Connors outshine the established international Doris. Another who got around the field well. 8

5 James Ryan (cc): Got a stern telling off from Carley but, after that, he got down to work and put himself about in the loose and set-piece. Made a superb 19 tackles. 8

4 Joe McCarthy: One of the main jumpers in the lineout but did get a yellow card for his altercation with Jonathan Danty and was a bit of a penalty magnet. 5

3 Michael Ala’alatoa: A good shift in the loose, although he did have his issues at the set-piece. 6

2 Dan Sheehan: Lineout was solid and there was the odd moment in open field, but it wasn’t a game to impress with ball in hand. 6

1 Andrew Porter: Had a big task on his hands against Uini Atonio and he was sent backwards on occasion, but he managed to stay in the fight. 6

Replacements: Josh van der Flier, Ciaran Frawley and Charlie Ngatai all made big impacts during their time on the field, with the replacement fly-half particularly influential. 8

READ MORE: Leinster end La Rochelle hoodoo in brutal Champions Cup battle