Was beaten for pace by George Ford for the opening try, wasted a good counter-attacking opportunity with a wayward kick in the second half and was stripped in contact by Matt Banahan early in the first. Not a good day for the fullback.
Fergus McFadden – 6
Would have gotten a higher score had he not been forced off with a suspected concussion. Lit up Anthony Watson with a big hit on half time and was busy throughout.
Ben Te’o – 6
Leinster didn’t have a whole lot of attacking possession so Te’o didn’t get that many opportunities to impress. Had two early carries – one was good and he was stripped on the other – and although he tried to get involved, the game never really opened up for him.
Ian Madigan – 9
Banished the Murrayfield kicking disappointment with a clinical display off the tee today. Has been the best kicker in the Champions Cup this season and it’s the reason Leinster are still in the competition.
Luke Fitzgerald – 7
His footwork was sharp and he tried his best to hunt down Ford in the build-up to Bath’s second try. Leinster struggled to create a whole lot but Fitzgerald looked the most likely.
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Jimmy Gopperth – 6
His kicking game was mixed and he tried to create things for his centres, but couldn’t find much space in the Bath defence.
Isaac Boss – 7
Had one poor kick out on the full but his passing was sharp and he delivered quick service to his backs.
Cian Healy – 9
He was the quieter of the returning bash brothers during the Six Nations but was back to his all-action best today. He was a bull in the loose and his scrummaging was superb.
Sean Cronin – 8
Had one errant throw in Bath territory early on but was a bullet in the loose and showed nice hands. Looks like he’s shot out of a cannon at times.
Mike Ross – 8
The Ross Renaissance continues. Another solid outing for the 35-year-old and he played his part in a destructive scrum. Even had his usual cameo in the loose when he dove on a loose ball like a marine jumping on a grenade.
Devin Toner – 5
Was badly exposed by George Ford twice and those were the scores that had Leinster hanging on at the end.
Mike McCarthy – 7
One of his better outings this season. He was quick off the line on a number of occasions to shut down Bath attacks.
Jordi Murphy – 8
Murphy is getting better with every game. He carried over the gain line regularly, tackled well and cleared out efficiently at the breakdown.
Sean O’Brien – 7
Had one nice turnover in the first half and some nice tackles but didn’t get the ball in his hands as much as he would have hoped.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
Heaslip got through his usual work-rate and slowed down Bath’s possession excellently.
Replacements:
Marty Moore was excellent, winning penalties at the scrum and at a crucial ruck late on.
Zane Kirchner didn’t make the most of Leinster’s best chance to score a try early in the second half.
Richardt Strauss was lucky not to be penalised at the final breakdown.
Jack McGrath relieved Healy well while Eoin Reddan was fortunate his blocked down clearance wasn’t turned into a late Bath try.
How we rated Leinster after squeezing past Bath in the Champions Cup quarter-final
Rob Kearney – 5
Was beaten for pace by George Ford for the opening try, wasted a good counter-attacking opportunity with a wayward kick in the second half and was stripped in contact by Matt Banahan early in the first. Not a good day for the fullback.
Fergus McFadden – 6
Would have gotten a higher score had he not been forced off with a suspected concussion. Lit up Anthony Watson with a big hit on half time and was busy throughout.
Ben Te’o – 6
Leinster didn’t have a whole lot of attacking possession so Te’o didn’t get that many opportunities to impress. Had two early carries – one was good and he was stripped on the other – and although he tried to get involved, the game never really opened up for him.
Ian Madigan – 9
Banished the Murrayfield kicking disappointment with a clinical display off the tee today. Has been the best kicker in the Champions Cup this season and it’s the reason Leinster are still in the competition.
Luke Fitzgerald – 7
His footwork was sharp and he tried his best to hunt down Ford in the build-up to Bath’s second try. Leinster struggled to create a whole lot but Fitzgerald looked the most likely.
Jimmy Gopperth – 6
His kicking game was mixed and he tried to create things for his centres, but couldn’t find much space in the Bath defence.
Isaac Boss – 7
Had one poor kick out on the full but his passing was sharp and he delivered quick service to his backs.
Cian Healy – 9
He was the quieter of the returning bash brothers during the Six Nations but was back to his all-action best today. He was a bull in the loose and his scrummaging was superb.
Sean Cronin – 8
Had one errant throw in Bath territory early on but was a bullet in the loose and showed nice hands. Looks like he’s shot out of a cannon at times.
Mike Ross – 8
The Ross Renaissance continues. Another solid outing for the 35-year-old and he played his part in a destructive scrum. Even had his usual cameo in the loose when he dove on a loose ball like a marine jumping on a grenade.
Devin Toner – 5
Was badly exposed by George Ford twice and those were the scores that had Leinster hanging on at the end.
Mike McCarthy – 7
One of his better outings this season. He was quick off the line on a number of occasions to shut down Bath attacks.
Jordi Murphy – 8
Murphy is getting better with every game. He carried over the gain line regularly, tackled well and cleared out efficiently at the breakdown.
Sean O’Brien – 7
Had one nice turnover in the first half and some nice tackles but didn’t get the ball in his hands as much as he would have hoped.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
Heaslip got through his usual work-rate and slowed down Bath’s possession excellently.
Replacements:
Marty Moore was excellent, winning penalties at the scrum and at a crucial ruck late on.
Zane Kirchner didn’t make the most of Leinster’s best chance to score a try early in the second half.
Richardt Strauss was lucky not to be penalised at the final breakdown.
Jack McGrath relieved Healy well while Eoin Reddan was fortunate his blocked down clearance wasn’t turned into a late Bath try.
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All-Ireland Senior HC European Rugby Champions Cup Leinster out of ten Bath Rugby