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Leinster player ratings vs Lions | 2023/24 URC

Ciarán Frawley of Leinster and Morne van den Berg of Emirates Lions contest a high ball during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Leinster at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Leinster player rating: After their statement win against La Rochelle, Leinster were brought down to earth with a bump in Johannesburg in the URC.

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In a humbling match for Leo Cullen’s men, here’s how the players rated:

1. Cian Healy – 4/10
One burst up the field aside, it was a tough day at the office for the veteran. Taken off just after halftime.

2. Lee Barron – 5
Found himself outmatched in lineouts and rucks, with the Lions exploiting every error.

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3. Thomas Clarkson – 5
Managed to hold his ground at times, but was largely overwhelmed by the Lions’ aggressive scrummaging. Struggled in the thin Jo’burg air.

4. Ross Molony – 4
Had difficulty organizing the lineout and couldn’t impose his physicality as the Lions dominated aerially.

5. Jason Jenkins – 4
Failed to make a significant impact on a return to home soil, with the Lions’ pack getting the best of the tight exchanges.

6. Diarmuid Mangan – 4
Looked off the pace at this altitude and struggled to keep up with the dynamic Lions’ back row.

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7. Scott Penny – 7
One of the few bright spots, Penny was energetic and effective at the breakdown, showing resilience despite the team’s struggles. Leinster’s best carrier.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored
4.5
9
Entries
Avg. Points Scored
1
12
Entries

8. Max Deegan – 6
A competent performance from Deegan despite Leinster being on the back foot for much of the game. If he wants to kick on his career you suspect he must leave Leinster, as he’s too good to be a third choice.

9. Luke McGrath – 5
Had a challenging day with slow service and pressure that the Lions capitalized on, disrupting Leinster’s flow.

10. Harry Byrne – 5
Despite the unfavourable scoreline, Byrne tried to spark his team’s attack, showing initiative and creativity under pressure. However, his efforts were largely thwarted and some blame must rest on his shoulders given Leinster’s lack of direction.

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11. Andrew Osborne – NA
Substituted early due to injury, Osborne had limited opportunities to shine before being removed.

12. Charlie Ngatai – 5
Showed patches of his ability, but the Lions’ midfield defence was too robust to allow any real impact.

Territory

34%
32%
10%
23%
Team Logo
Team Logo
33%
Territory
66%

13. Liam Turner – 4
A disallowed try aside, there were too many errors from Turner. Found it difficult to find space and break lines, with the Lions’ shutting down options.

14. Rob Russell – 4
Lacked service and opportunities, largely invisible against a rampant Lions’ backline.

15. Ciaran Frawley – 7.5
Despite the team’s overall performance, Frawley showed composure at the back and was reliable under high balls and in counter-attacks. Went over for two tries against the run of play.

REPLACEMENTS: 

16. John McKee – 5
Came on to stabilize but faced similar challenges as the starting hooker against a relentless Lions.

17. Michael Milne – 4
Like the rest of the front row, struggled to make an impact in the scrum, ceding over 30kg to replacement tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who ate him for dinner.

18. Michael Alaalatoa – 5
Couldn’t turn the tide in the scrum, with the Lions maintaining their upper hand.

19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh – 5
Limited impact and couldn’t shift the momentum in Leinster’s favour.

20. Rhys Ruddock – 5
Brought experience, but it wasn’t enough to thwart the Lions’ dominance.

21. Cormac Foley – 5
Had minimal impact in changing the game’s pace against a well-organized Lions defence.

22. Sam Prendergast – 7
Coming off the bench, Prendergast brought a much-needed spark to Leinster’s play in the second half. His urgency provided a clear uplift, helping to shift the momentum for the visitors.

23. Ben Brownlee – 4
Struggled to get into the game during his limited minutes on the pitch. Getting swapped aside by Emmanuel Tshituka didn’t help his rating.

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P
PL 2 hours ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

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