15. Rob Kearney – 6
Kearney didn’t get many attacking opportunities but fielded some high, hanging kicks well. Made a bit of a mess in the dead ball area early on for Toulon’s potential try but Chris Masoe’s offside bailed him out.
14. Fergus McFadden – 5
His handling from kicks was poor and he was very lucky not to be penalised for taking Bryan Habana out in the air. He almost combined with Kearney for a catastophic bit of defending for Toulon’s early chance.
13. Ben Te’o – 6
One strong fend to the face of Bastareaud in the second half hinted at his potential with the ball in hand but he was rarely used overall. Also, Scott Quinnell showed on Sky that had he ran a straighter line in extra time, Ian Madigan’s interception may have been avoided.
12. Ian Madigan – 6
Madigan showed massive bottle to nail a tough kick moments after missing a bit of a gimme, but that sort of inconsistency marked his display. Besides the ill-advised miss pass that ultimately proved the difference, his tactical kicking wasn’t as sharp as Leinster needed it to be. Also, he put two restarts out on the full.
11. Luke Fitzgerald – 6
Fitzgerald looked dangerous when he was on the ball – unfortunately he was limited to about five carries over the course of 100 minutes.
10. Jimmy Gopperth – 6
He had a drop goal to win the game for Leinster, and although he missed, it wasn’t a bad effort with so many Toulon forwards in his face. What was just as crucial was his missed conversion – it was from a slight angle but it meant Leinster needed a try rather than just a three-pointer to force a place kicking competition. Was a little unlucky not to score a try after blocking down Matt Giteau, but he couldn’t control the ball on the ground with his boot.
9. Isaac Boss – 7
Another solid outing for the veteran. His box-kicking regularly eased the pressure on Leinster and he found good distance with his touch finders.
1. Cian Healy – 8
It is a pity that Leinster’s season is more or less over just as Healy is starting to find his best form. His scrummaging was strong, he carried well and despite giving away one silly penalty, he was effective at the breakdown too.
2. Sean Cronin – 8
Leinster didn’t do a whole lot with the ball in hand but the speedy hooker tried his best to generate go-forward ball. He popped up all over the field ready to contribute and his lineout throwing was strong too.
3. Mike Ross – 8
The veteran had a good scrum contest with Xavier Chiocci throughout the game and it was interesting to see both men get the upper hand at times. Ross probably shaded it overall and it was another reminder that even at 35, the Corkman isn’t done yet.
4. Devin Toner – 9
Toner symbolised the effort of the Leinster pack. He was strong in the lineout, tackled incessantly and drove powerfully in the scrum. After a poor quarter-final display, this is exactly what the second row needed.
5. Mike McCarthy – 8
Leinster might be missing their big Australia import but McCarthy has filled in very well. What stands out the most from his recent performances is the ferocity of some of his tackles. He was quick off the line on a number of occasions and wasn’t content with just taking people to ground – he wanted to hit them hard.
6. Jordi Murphy – 8.5
Like Healy, he gave away one avoidable penalty but once again he was one of Leinster’s big performers. He showed great athleticism to poach a few Toulon lineouts and also made 10 tackles.
7. Sean O’Brien – 7.5
O’Brien is another who’s basically at mid-season given how much rugby he has missed, and he was good in most areas today. He won two turnovers and led the Leinster team in tackles. But he would have liked to have carried the ball more and Steffon Armitage did some great work opposite him after coming on.
8. Jamie Heaslip – 8.5
Led the team in carries, controlled the ball very well at the base of the scrum and was heroic in defence. Exactly what you want from your captain.
Replacements:
Jack McGrath and Marty Moore were both excellent introductions and for the second knockout game in-a-row, the tighthead won a crucial turnover penalty.
Richardt Strauss was generally solid although he did lose one crucial lineout in the Toulon 22 while Eoin Reddan made a couple of errors after coming on, kicking out on the full and conceding a free kick at the scrum as Leinster looked to drive for a score to take the lead.
no Conway is the man. fast can tackle & safe hands under a high ball
@john fleming: shtop.
@john fleming: Ha ha ha
He’s too dangerous a finisher to take off the wing. I’d like to see Stockdale-Lowe-Larmour next season
@Rudiger McMonihan: Lowe is qualified?
@Rudiger McMonihan: that would be a ridiculous backline
@Rudiger McMonihan: oh Jesus Christ !!!!
@Bluepoolroad: after the world cup
I think it’s November 2020 before he qualifies
@Rudiger McMonihan: Keith Earls won’t be pushed out that easily.
@Rudiger McMonihan: Jesus did earl’s steal your wife or something
@Padraic Burke: Earls isn’t half the player that Lowe is.
Earl’s is much older and in a years time it is unlikely that he will still be the best winger. If he is then fair play to him. I hope I’m proven wrong!
@Baz Dunne: your right. He’s twice the player.
@Anthony:
For Leinster the qualification of Jamison Gibson-Park at the end of 2019 will mean J Lowe should become a regular because that 2 into 3 problem will be gone. But it will not be till next year that he could qualifie (if he wants to go for a place in the Ireland setup)
A fine player but Earls is the man !!
@Baz Dunne: And you’re clearly not half the expert you think you are.
@Bluepoolroad: yes Lowe can play I. Next 6nations I think … has to be in the mix as does Adam Byrne I think if he keeps progressing post the Kearney, Earls era
Is there anything to be said for Simon Zebo?
@southside: No
@southside: if he comes back then absolutely
@Rudiger McMonihan: Zebo shouldn’t have to come back to qualify. He is 1/2 French and has chosen to experience that culture. Should that restrict his eligibility?? NO
Bad example but Imagine telling Irish soccer players plying their trade in England you need to play in the league of Ireland.
Zebo record try scorer for Munster
Was on shortlist in his 1 season for Top 14 player of the year. Of course he should be considered.
@southside: yeah get lost Simon
@T Meister: yes it most certainly should restrict it. We need to protect our provincial game because at the moment it’s working. Look at how bad the French team are because they have no control over french club players
@T Meister: I can’t believe we’re STILL having the Zebo conversation.
@Anthony:
So should Sexton have been dropped too?
@The Great Unwashed:
Different times my friend and all gone over many many times .
@Anthony: FREEDOM of choice for ALL.
Best players who qualify for this country should be considered. Provinces should stand on their own merits encourage Irish players to stay but not the detriment of the National Side being able to choose The Best 15.
@Martin Quinn:
Not different times at all. The ‘rule’ applied to players before Sexton and after Sexton, so why didn’t it apply to Sexton himself?
You can’t have a policy and then choose to disregard it when it’s inconvenient – either it’s the policy or it isn’t.
@The Great Unwashed: maybe you should change your name to the great uneducated, this was enforced because of sexton.
@Chris Mc:
What does that even mean? The policy was there long before Sexton moved to Racing, so why wasn’t it applied to him as it was applied to other players who moved overseas?
@The Great Unwashed: I know the reason as you certainly do by the question you asked and for THIS reply to be published this is all I can say.
No.
His a winger.
Stick to players playing in there natural position. Instead of fannying about.
@Paddy Waggon: played u20 at full back and pretty impressive at that
@Kevin Donnelly: why was he moved to the wing so .
@Paddy Waggon: To get game time in a position which is not as challenging for a young inexperienced player. He will be Ulster’s 15 for years to come imo
Even though his defence has improved over the past 12 months, it remains the weakest part of his game. At 15 he could be exposed by all of the open ground as opposed to being able to use the touchline as an extra defender. It could improve for pro14 level but I don’t think he could manage international.
@Declan Snow: It’s his defensive positioning and reads that have let him down, rather than his tackle technique. At 15 he’ll only really be needed to shut someone down when they break the line and he has the speed to do it. Would really like to see him there.
The thoughts of a Stockdale, Lowe, Larmour back 3 going into the next world cup cycle is mouth watering!
I’d prefer to see Larmour getting some serious game time back there!
He needs to be given a few games on the run
@Aaron Tynan: In what aspect(s) of his game is Jordan better than Jacob?
@Bluepoolroad: actually grounding the ball for one
@John Keenan: savage
@John Keenan: that was harsh now in fairness.
@Stephen Foster: funny tho
@Bluepoolroad:
Knowing when to pass.
I think everyone is forgetting about Addison. I think he will have a say in that back 3 over the next 4 – 8 years.
Stockdale can’t / won’t pass.
You need a 15 that can pass.
@Bungee Aky: so Rob Lyttle got the ball by telepathy on Friday night?
@Ian Frizzell: you said it
@Bungee Aky: Rob “Straightens the line” Kearney never saw a ball he couldnt run into the first chaser with
@Bungee Aky: Kearney is knowing for his passing rather than his running into contact ;-)
@Bungee Aky: also a dodgy defender
@Kevin Donnelly: In what alternate universe is that true?
I never feel confident that he will catch a high contested ball in game.
The question is, who will be fb come world cup
Henshaw is our best natural fullback, I hope Joe sticks with him in the warm ups.
@Rochelle: showed against england he has almost no positional sense to defend the chip over the top. If he isnt playing 15 for leinster (he wont be) its a non runner for Ire
@Rochelle: He is in his hoop
@Kazoochka: bovine excrement! He covered as well as anyone would have with that defensive set up. Even with the tweaks that followed RK with all his experience was caught several times v Italy. Give players that much time to look up and pick and choose their kicks and with nobody else dropping into the backfield the best 15 in the world would have struggled. England just out gunned us tactically and broke our defence down, I wouldn’t go pointing the finger at any one player.
@Kazoochka: both Earls and Stockdale made horrible calls in the game and expecting an full back to read those is a bit much.
Larmour is prob next in line, he still has a lot of learning to do in my opinion. There are a lot of times in games where his decision making with ball in hand gets him (team) in trouble. No doubting his ability but sometimes he should just take the direct line of contact and get go forward rather than trying to jink statically around guys and then get pushed back a few meters
Well itd be interesting. Hes a tall lad so fielding wouldnt be an issue. In terms of speed hes very quick as well. But is he too tqll that hes an easier target?
Worth a try at least.
I’d much rather keep him on the wing. It’s a pity Haley has taken the fullback position at Munster as I believe Conway is our best all rounded fullback in the country. While larmour and Addison have still to add to their game, I believe Conway has all the right attributes to make a top quality fullback at international level.
@Anthony O Connell: Conway has never really claimed the Munster 15 shirt and always seems to be injured when the internationals come around. He’s no spring chicken either.
You shut up.
I’m Eoin McLove.
I can do what I lie!