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Leinster player ratings vs Scarlets | 2024/25 URC
By Ian Cameron
Leinster player ratings: Leo Cullen’s men fell only their second loss of the season, but they can have no complaints with this 35-22 loss to Scarlets, as it probably was Leinster’s messiest performance of the season.
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We rate the Leinster players:
1. Cian Healy – 7
A typically combative showing from the veteran, scrapping for every inch at scrum time. Carried with plenty of venom too, even if he didn’t quite get Leinster on the front foot as much as he wanted.
2. Ronan Kelleher – 4
Could easily have seen yellow for an aerial challenge and never fully recovered his rhythm. Flashes of his dynamic carrying game were there, but his poor discipline left plenty to be desired. Not an ideal showing for the Lions long-shot.
3. Thomas Clarkson – 6
A gorgeous pass to put Culhane away showed he’s not just a scrummager, but he creaked under Scarlets’ pressure at the set-piece. Gave away a costly penalty for holding on.
4. Ryan Baird – 6
Didn’t put a foot wrong but struggled to stamp his authority on the contest.
5. Brian Deeny – NA
Lasted less than a quarter of an hour before injury struck.
6. Alex Soroka – 5.5
Tried to tread the fine line between aggressive and reckless but fell foul of the referee more than once. Came close to scoring late on but it wasn’t quite his afternoon.
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7. Will Connors – 6
Steady and industrious without really catching the eye. A classic shift full of unseen donkey work.
8. James Culhane – 7.5
Showed a nose for the line with a well-taken close-range try. Strong in the carry and busy throughout.
9. Fintan Gunne – 7
Passing was crisp and his decision-making kept Leinster ticking. Not at fault here.
10. Ross Byrne – 6.5
Kicked accurately and even pulled out a side-step or two. Blotted his copybook slightly with a needless intercepted pass, but otherwise a decent outing.
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11. Jimmy O’Brien – 6
Linked play nicely and distributed well in attack. Gave away an avoidable penalty which handed Scarlets field position at a bad time.
12. Jamie Osborne – 5.5
Took his try well after the Mangan charge-down but was guilty of missing several tackles. A mixed bag but still showed flashes of what he can do.
13. Liam Turner – 7
Made a couple of important turnovers and was willing to bustle in heavy traffic. Couldn’t quite finish off a clean break but put in a shift.
14. Andrew Osborne – 4.5
Lost a ball in the air early and never fully recovered his confidence. Caught out for Tom Rogers’ try too.
15. Ciaran Frawley – 6.5
A steady presence under the high ball and ran back kicks with real intent. One of Leinster’s best on a night when they needed a few more to front up.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Gus McCarthy – 5
Bounced around with energy but a messy offside boot at a ruck gifted Scarlets points.
17. Jack Boyle – 6
Conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck after arriving at the breakdown like a runaway shopping trolley.
18. Rabah Slimani – 6
Improved the stability of the Leinster scrum after Clarkson departed.
19. Diarmuid Mangan – 6.5
Charged down Costelow’s kick superbly to set up Osborne’s try and got himself a meat pie too. A lively cameo with just a few rough edges.
20. Scott Penny – 5
Threw himself into everything but didn’t really swing the momentum back Leinster’s way.
21. Cormac Foley – 5
Sniffed out a defensive lapse for a late break and was solid overall.
22. Charlie Tector – 5
Needs to add a little more polish — fired too many missiles at his forwards’ ankles.
23. Ruben Moloney – NA
Not on long enough to leave an imprint.
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Geez how bad are Leinster? Just not up to scratch sorry.
Underlines why Ireland struggle in the RWC. Depth is a problem for all the Irish sides.
Gunne and Byrne had poor games. Gunnes kiking was often short.
Soroka was pretty immense.
Suprized that ref has been reinstated after bing ‘rested’ after a few terrible games early season. Two kollapsed mauls as Leinster was inside the 5 metre line and pushing to skore. No kard. Byrne hit so so late: ‘do that again and ill book you…eh wtf?’
Too many errors did it for them. they should have wrapped up 1st plae there.