Leinster player ratings vs Northampton

03/05/2025 16:30

Aviva Stadium

Leinster Rugby

Investec Champions Cup

34

37

semifinals

Northampton Saints

O'Brien (17'), Flier (25', 58'), Doris (46'), Lowe (69')

Tries

Freeman (7', 35', 37'), Pollock (28'), Ramm (62')

Prendergast (25', 47', 70')

Conversions

Smith (8', 29', 63')

Prendergast (13')

Penalties

Smith (22', 55')

Leinster Rugby Starting XV

1. Cian Healy
   4/10 - Struggled at scrum time early on, conceding a penalty and a free kick, and was substituted after just 20 minutes through injury.

2. Dan Sheehan
   5/10 - A player Leinster fans would have expected more from. Defensively solid but very little threat with ball in hand. Lineout couldn’t fire in opposition 22.

3. Tadhg Furlong
   5.5/10 - Very little impact in attack and failed to produce any of his trademark offloads. Scrummaged okay in parts.

4. RG Snyman
   5/10 - A few neat offloads but Leinster would have expected more from their big money signing. Saints were ready for him in contact and was limited to nothing more but a lineout option.

5. Joe McCarthy
   5/10 - A poor performance on the eve of Lions selection which could cost him, Joint most missed tackles with five - an ugly look for a second row.

6. Max Deegan
   6/10 - Clever assist off the ground for van der Flier’s first try but his work in the lineout cost Leinster as he couldn’t claim one inside Leinster’s 22.

7. Josh van der Flier
   8.5/10 - Back to his best with ferocious carrying and was unfortunate to be denied a hat-trick late on by a few millimetres. Was also Leinster’s top tackler with 10.

8. Caelan Doris
   8/10 - Came alive in the second half with a trademark bulldozing carry to score, while he showcased his all-court game with a textbook rip turnover followed by a 50:22.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park
   6.5/10 - Facilitated the contest well with clever passing and switched the play nicely when needed. Very few standout moments though as Saints were alert to his sniping.

10. Sam Prendergast
    6/10 - Some beautiful passing playing flat to the line and assisted multiple tries. But his defence will be questioned after missing five tackles.

11. James Lowe
    8/10 - Proved why he’s deemed as one of the best kickers from hand in the game with a sumptuous second half 50:22. Keeps showing up in big moments, scoring a try late on.

12. Robbie Henshaw
    5/10 - Really struggled to make any worthy impact with ball in hand as he was contained well by the Northampton defence.

13. Garry Ringrose
    6/10 - Missed tackles were an issue as he was part of a midfield that were opened up far too easily. Put some big hits in early on but struggled with ball in hand.

14. Tommy O'Brien
    7/10 - Took his try well and proved a constant nuisance to the Saints defence. Forced a turnover in the second half but he’ll be annoyed that he let Freeman in for his hat-trick.

15. Hugo Keenan
    6/10 - Some excellent carries making 68 metres but he failed to have a huge impact on the contest.

Leinster Rugby Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher
    6/10 - Lineout darts improved but not a huge impact.

17. Andrew Porter
    4/10 - Bad impact at scrum time and conceded a game-high three penalties.

18. Rabah Slimani
    6.5/10 - Scrum improvements.

19. Ryan Baird
    7/10 - Vital jackal turnover as soon as he came on.

20. Jack Conan
    7/10 - Shored up the Leinster line out and provided physicality in their carries.

21. Luke McGrath - N/A

22. Ross Byrne
    6/10 - Denied a try by the barest of margins which will sting his team for as long as they’ll remember.

23. Jordie Barrett
    5/10 - Expected more from the All Blacks superstar, who made little impact choosing contact into Northampton’s brick wall when he had possession.