Ciarán Frawley, badge number 15, put on an impressive performance, stepping in for Hugo Keenan due to a hip injury. His remarkable calmness on the field and strategic decisions leading up to Jamison Gibson-Park’s goal were commendable. Rating: 8.
Number 14, Jordan Larmour had a promising start to the match. His speed and focus, particularly seen in a significant turnover at a ruck in his 22, a less conventional inclusion. His contribution to James Lowe’s try and his dedication in defence were excellent. Rating: 8.
The player wearing the “13”, Robbie Henshaw, brilliantly used his footwork to outmanoeuvre the opposition, managing several breakthroughs on the gain-line. His cross-kick leading to Lowe’s succeeding try was remarkable. Rating: 9.
Jamie Osborne, number “12”, displayed reliability and concentration throughout the match. Even though caught by UJ Seuteni early in the match, he managed to pick himself up and demonstrated an extraordinary performance. His left-footed kicks were particularly remarkable. Rating: 8.
James Lowe, number “11”, performed remarkably as well. He not only made significant contributions to his score but also sprinted himself to exhaustion for his team. His invisible offload for Gibson-Park was astoundingly good. Rating: 9.
Ross Byrne, player “10”, provided a top-notch performance. His game management, distribution, and placekicking were first-rate. His decisions kept the team in the right game zone, and his kicks were pinpoint perfect. Rating: 9.
Finally, number “9”, Jamison Gibson-Park received a standing ovation at 72-minutes for a towering performance. His play variations at the attack hub and his support lines highlighted in his try were exceptional. Rating: 9.
1 Andrew Porter’s performance was unassuming yet highly successful. He won an essential penalty at a ruck in the second half’s beginnings, got involved in another, and cleared out with dedication to guard Leinster’s breakdown, securing a swift ball at the ruck. He received an 8 as his rating.
2 Dan Sheehan gradually warmed up to his typical, intense style of play. His shutdown of Tawera Kerr Barlow was decisive, and he finished a remarkable performance with a signature try, easily crossing over in the corner. He also was rated with an 8.
3 Tadhg Furlong’s exceptional performance took us back to the golden days. He announced his intentions clearly with strong tackles on Will Skelton and Ultan Dillane, driving both several metres back. He was able to nicely join plays, visible in the lead up to Ryan Baird’s try. His performance score was a 9.
4 Joe McCarthy made his mark in the game from a key maul takeover in Leinster 22, before displaying his active play. Despite facing a few aggressive tackles, they didn’t deter him for a second. He obtained a rating of 8.
5 Jason Jenkins put up a robust show even after a couple of penalties at rucks. His strong efforts in carrying the ball, clearing rucks, and proactive attacking, more than balanced it out. His decision to begin was proven right. His rating stood at 8.
6 Ryan Baird displayed brilliance in all areas of the game. His all-round performance saw him run the lineout expertly, take charge of restarts, and ceaselessly bother the La Rochelle players, with a try as a fitting prize. He was awarded a score of 9.
7 Will Connors is well known for his excellent “chop tackling”. He thrived on his responsibility, striving to cover gaps and ensure La Rochelle’s primary ball-carrier ended up on the ground. His hard work earned him a rating of 8.
8 Caelan Doris, despite a few penalties at rucks, including a severe unjust one, rose to the occasion whenever Leinster required someone to carry the slow static ball. His outstanding footwork is just one of his remarkable skills. As a leader, he excelled in every aspect, garnering an 8 for his ranking.
Substitutes: The reserves contributed positively with their vibe and zeal, ensuring the home team maintained control of the match effectively. Despite some minor scrum problems, as a team, they persisted the momentum set by those they replaced, with Josh van der Flier exceptionally noticeable. Assessment: 7
Mentor: Leo Cullen ought to be thoroughly gratified as he, alongside the other coaches, deserves recognition for planning the match strategy and making sure the squad embraced it. Even the last-minute pullout of Hugo Keenan failed to unsettle their concentration. Assessment: 8