Leinster player ratings: Leinster secured a 47-21 victory that flattered their performance in what was a far tougher contest than the scoreline suggests.
Leo Cullen’s side looked disjointed and uninspired in the first half, struggling to find a rhythm against a Bath side that came out of the gates firing with two tries within eight minutes.
It was only in the second half that Leinster broke clear, a late surge of tries putting the game to bed.
Here’s how the Leinster players rated.
1. Andrew Porter – 7
The battle with Will Stuart was intense, with Porter standing his ground at the scrum and putting in a typical shift around the park. His work rate was never in question even if this was hardly vintage Porter.
Fixture
Investec Champions Cup
Leinster
Bath
2. Ronan Kelleher – 6
Missed a tackle on Alfie Barbeary for Bath’s opening try but was solid at the set piece. Was accurate with his lineout throws despite facing pressure from former teammate Ross Molony.
3. Rabah Slimani – 7.5
Slimani struggled early against Beno Obano but grew into the contest. Deserves credit for staying in the fight and eventually getting the upper hand, with Obano getting a red card for his scrum shenanigans.
4. Joe McCarthy – 6
Pivoted between catatonic and ballistic. Showed flashes of aggression but lacked consistency over his 80 minutes on the pitch.
5. James Ryan – 7
One of Leinster’s better forwards, Ryan led by example, disrupting Bath and generally added value on the ball. Strong in the tight exchanges and added a calming influence when Bath threatened to run through Leinster early doors.
6. Max Deegan – 5
Struggled to make an impact without doing anything drastically wrong. Champions Cup rugby is possibly a level above his abilities.
7. Josh van der Flier – 4.5
A typically hard-working effort but couldn’t get a handle on the game, particularly struggling to impose himself at the breakdown, where Bath reigned supreme. An off-colour performance, which was epitomised by a knock-on with the Bath line beckoning in the 34th minute and a similar costly fumble in the 50th minute.
8. Jack Conan – 6
Gave some stability at the base of the scrum but was one of a number Leinster players who looked decidedly lethargic in the first half. Eventually got going, his 37th try from close range giving his side a much-needed kick up the jacksie.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Struggled with accuracy early but grew into the game, using his pace to exploit gaps around the ruck and to finish off the 67th-minute try that sealed it for Leinster.
10. Sam Prendergast – 5
Bumped more times than a sleeping policeman. Was flattened by a Bath carrier in the opening play and it wasn’t to be his last. His tactical kicking was a mixed bag, as was his goal-kicking. Tried a little too hard to spark Leinster’s attack with some ‘to no-body’ passes. A moment of brilliance in the lead-up to Ringtrose’s try aside, this was a game to forget for the youngster.
11. Jamie Osborne – 4.5
Osborne’s handling let him down and baring one decent break showed little in attack. A missed tackle on Tom De Glanville for Bath’s second try stood out; and he repeated the feat for English legend’s son’s second, with a missed tackle on Ollie Lawrence in the lead-up. A talent no doubt but this was not his day.
12. Jordie Barrett – 5
Bath had his number in attack, with the Kiwi failing to make headway in the midfield. Looked better in the second forty when his brilliant passing game came into play.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 8
Took his try 9th minute try well and by God did Leinster need it. His second was equally impressive. One of Henshaw’s best days in blue in a long time.
14. Garry Ringrose – 7.5
Operating out of position on the wing, Ringrose didn’t look out of place. His versatility and decision-making added value to Leinster’s performance, even if he might not be quite fast enough for the position. Took his try well.
15. Hugo Keenan – 8
The returning fullback was safe under the high ball and kept Bath’s cover honest when he needed to. Didn’t get much opportunity in attack but was one of Leinster’s brighter players on a dull day for the province.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Gus McCarthy – 6
Brought energy in the loose and maintained set-piece solidity.
17. Cian Healy – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
18. Thomas Clarkson – 7
Solid in the scrum and effective around the park. A dependable performance.
19. RG Snyman – 8.5
Came on to score twice and brought an offloading game that helped shake Leinster out of their slumber. A game-changing presence that Bath had no answer for.
20. Caelan Doris – 8
Opened his account by running over Finn Russell and brought the bully boy energy that Leinster had been missing.
21. Luke McGrath – NA
He had two brief cameos but wasn’t on long enough to rate.
22. Ross Byrne – 7.5
Whisper it, but on this occasion Leinster looked a lot more settled with Byrne. Whether that was down to him or the fact that Leinster had broken the back of Bath at that stage is up for debate. His refusal to pass following a break may have cost Leinster a try in the 78th minute.
23. Jimmy O’Brien – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
