Leinster player ratings: Lowe and Gibson-Park the stars

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 05-05 08:15

Leinster held on against a late Saints surge to book another Investec Champions Cup final spot.

It took a James Lowe hat-trick and five points from the boot of Ross Byrne to get them over the line.

Harlequins or Toulouse await in the final on 25 May in London.

Here's how we rated the players.


15. Ciarán Frawley – 7.5

Had lots of involvements and was solid under the high ball. A threat in attack, too, and kicked well. His reputation as a more than able deputy to the injured Hugo Keenan is enhanced. Stopped a penalty going into touch in the first half to stop Saints getting a foothold.

14. Jordan Larmour – 7

Continued his form in a high stakes battle. Eager to get on the ball, mixed up his runs and kicks well and defended like demon, his tackle on George Hendy with 10 minutes left lifted the crowd.

13. Robbie Henshaw – 7.5

Savage shift by the centre, carried hard into traffic and stood up in defence. Stopped numerous attacks in midfield and was in the mix forcing multiple Saints errors.

12. Jamie Osborne – 7.5

Superb showing by the centre. Has the ability to kick, pass and carry, which always kept the Saints guessing. Ran 58 metres with ball in hand, the most of any Leinster player. Also joint top tackler of the backs with nine.

11. James Lowe – 9

Even before he got the first of two early tries, Lowe was heavily involved, relishing taking the ball into contact and using his power to retain possession. Made three clean breaks from 14 runs; kicked and fielded well in GAA HQ.

10. Ross Byrne – 7

Marshalled his side with confidence and his two successful kicks were crucial in the end. Read the play well to pick up an intercept before Lowe's second. Will be disappointed with the missed penalty in the second half.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 9

Another tour de force from the Kiwi scrum-half. Picked out beforehand by the Saints as Leinster’s danger man but they still couldn’t deal with his pace, precision and judgment. Beat four defenders and had two superb direct assists for Lowe’s first two tries.

1. Andrew Porter – 7.5

Mixed day in the scrum for the Leinster front row but was got through a huge amount of work on both sides of the ball. Contributed seven runs and five big tackles.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5

Had a couple of trademark runs in the first half and was solid out of touch. Made seven runs before he made way for Kelleher on 52 minutes.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 7.5

Dynamic performance from the tighthead in the loose. Carried aggressively for seven runs. Scrum struggled at times but the Wexford man is as fit as he’s been in ages.

4. Ross Molony – 7

Excellent in the lineout, both with and against throw. Revelled in the tight breakdown battle and stuck in six tough tackles and made six runs.

5. Joe McCarthy – 8

Complete nuisance off the ball and always available to carry into contact when needed. Loved the battle when it got close at the end, carrying on after getting treatment for a foot injury. Made 13 carries.

6. Ryan Baird – 7.5

Big shift by the big man and his evasive run in the second half led to Lowe’s third. Missed a few tackles but made 43 metres off 10 runs.

7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5

Busy on both sides of the ball for his 53 minutes, carrying hard and working hard after contact. Disrupted the Northampton possession ensuring slow ball that told further out the line.

8. Caelan Doris – 8

The stand-in captain excelled and was Leinster’s top tackler with 12. Got the crowd going with his carries too. Did very well for Lowe’s second to get the ball back quickly when stopped over the line.


Replacements

16. Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan 53) – 7

Added energy off the bench and ended up with seven tackles to his name

18. Michael Ala'alatoa (for Furlong 61) – 6

Came on as Saints surged but played his part.

19. Jason Jenkins (for Molony 53) – 7

Energised the pack upon his arrival, tackled like a demon.

20. Jack Conan (for Van der Flier 53) – 7.5

Best of the replacements, came up with the match-saving jackal penalty.

Not on long enough to be rated

17. Cian Healy (for Porter 71)

22. Harry Byrne (for Frawley 78)

23. Jimmy O'Brien (for Larmour 72)

Not used

20. Luke McGrath

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