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Leinster player ratings: Like new Investec Champions Cup The season has begun, Leinster Rugby headed to Clermont’s glittering Stade Marcel-Michelin in search of an early statement.
It was all Leinster in the first half, although the scoreboard somewhat flattered the hosts, who kept in touch despite doing precious little with ball in hand. In the end, after the break, the guests turned the screw, put Clermont to the sword through a mix of forward power and attacking spirit. It wasn’t a flawless display, but there was enough quality and enough moments of brilliance to get the job done comfortably in France.
It ended with a score of 48-23.
15. Hugo Keenan – 7
Lots of work for Keenan. Clermont’s back three tested him with plenty of width and pace, particularly through Justin Bouraux and Joris Jurand, and while he wasn’t as influential as usual in attack, he delivered most of what came his way without much fuss.
14. Tommy O’Brien – 6
At the start of the second half, he made a brilliant loose ball on the counterattack, which highlighted his appetite for dirty work. There were encouraging moments on both sides of the ball, but he will be frustrated by the spilling of the ball after Sam Prendergast picked him out with a fine back pass. A superb finish in the 77th minute came against the winger’s streak of play after an uncharacteristically quiet afternoon’s work.
13. Garry Ringrose – 5.5
Lots of subterfuge without too many headlines. Put in a lot of defensive work and willingly, but missed too many tries to gain much more on the points scale. One of those afternoons where there was effort but not much to show for it.
12. Robbie Henshaw – 7
A mixed bag. Missed a scrum that eventually led to Clermont’s first try after a period of recycled possession. He reacted well though and produced a typically powerful carry, including a wonderful half-break in midfield just before the hour mark. It looked more comfortable as the game unfolded.
11. Jimmy O’Brien – 9
A constant threat every time he touched the ball. He almost produced one of the tries of the season after chasing down a superb Prendergast cross, only for a knock-on in the act of grounding it out. His combination with Leinster’s young fly-half was utterly diabolical. The pair then produced a moment of brilliance before half-time. Prendergast burst through midfield, flicked the ball to the ball and O’Brien somehow kept the movement going before slotting the ball back inside on the stroke of half-time for a stunning 70-metre score. Easily Leinster’s most dangerous full back.
10. Sam Prendergast – 8.5
A few shaky moments at the start, including a poor decision not to clear his lines, but he pulled away and quickly took control. Constantly questioning Clermont with chips, dinks and various shots that left the home team in a tizzy. Clermont lock Darcy Swain clearly dreamed of spoiling him and awarded a penalty after some off-the-ball nonsense, but Prendergast continued to play rugby. His try before half-time was the highlight, but his overall game management was equally impressive. A growing understanding with Jimmy O’Brien is becoming one of the most exciting developments in the Leinster backfield.
9. Fintan Gunne – 7.5
Something of a coming-of-age play in the continued absence of Jamison Gibson-Park. He did brilliantly to get the ball out under pressure for Tadhg Furlong’s opening try and generally brought good pace to Leinster’s attack. A few loose balls prevented an even bigger score and reminded everyone that he is still developing. Regardless, there was a lot to like.
1. Andrew Porter – 8
He returned to his free head and thoroughly enjoyed himself against Clermont’s Nohem Ez Zahanoui. He got the better of his opposite number in the scrum and made life uncomfortable throughout. They deserve huge credit for Leinster’s penalty try. The visitors’ push gathered momentum, with Clermont pulling away quickly and Ez Zahanoui eventually collapsing under Porter’s pressure in a desperate attempt to stop the inevitable. Powerful and very effective.
2. Dan Sheehan – 8.5
He returned to his brilliant best in the open and caused absolute chaos whenever he appeared in the open field. He made a superb inside run on the right edge ahead of Leinster’s opening try before popping up everywhere. Alert enough to dive onto the Clermont foul line for Leinster’s second try, he was later rewarded with a catch-and-drive maul, going down despite being kneed to the gut for his troubles. Excellent captain’s display.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 8
He crashed over from close range for Leinster’s first try after Gunne’s incisive work around the edges. Strong in collisions and increasingly influential as the game progressed. Clermont loose Giorgi Akhaladze and late substitute Soha Lotrian struggled to find a way around Leinster’s scrum platform. This was much closer to vintage Furlong.
4. Joe McCarthy – 6.5
He spent most of the afternoon in the trenches trying to establish an advantage against a physical Clermont pack who gave absolutely nothing away for free. Not spectacular, but he stuck to his task and kept hitting.
5. James Ryan – 6
Lots of carry but very little return for the effort. He worked hard and got through his usual mountain of unprecedented work, although it wasn’t his most impactful outing in blue.
6. Ryan Baird – 6.5
Was in and out of the competition. There were periods when he barely registered and others where his athleticism caused Clermont serious problems. When it was locked, it was very effective. It just needed more consistency throughout the 80 minutes.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Very decent without the wow factor. He failed to create his usual threat at the breakdown, and he didn’t make much of an impact with the ball in hand. He still got through a lot of work, but by his standards, if he felt a little subdued.
8. Jack Conan – 7.5
A proper work shift against the gray Clermont pack. He went toe-to-toe physically all afternoon and rarely took a step back. His highlight came when he burst through two defenders to score Leinster’s sixth try, showing a class that still separates him from most top eights in Europe. The only concern was a wrist injury that forced him out soon after.
Substitutions – 6.5
Rónan Kelleher, Alex Usanov, Thomas Clarkson, the impressive Conor O’Tighearnaigh, Scott Penny, Oliver Coffey, Joey Carbery and the returning Jamie Osborne helped Leinster maintain control as the game drifted away from Clermont. Neither led to a decisive moment, but together they maintained a decent standard and ensured there was no late French comeback at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.