Leinster player ratings vs Lions: United Rugby Championship

Saturday, 09 May 2026 at 19:19

byLiam Reynolds

Leinster player ratings vs Lions as the province returns to United Rugby Championship action before the Champions Cup final in Bilbao.

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Leinster got back to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship with a hard-fought bonus point victory over a challenging Emirates Lions side to take one step further towards securing a home semi-final.

Despite both sides being in similar positions on the table, Leinster's early explosive start proved the difference in individual quality from both sides. The home side started the game as they meant to go on with an early try courtesy of a moment of individual brilliance from Jamie Osborne. Despite matching up well at set-piece time, it appeared to be only a matter of time before things clicked to open the floodgates for Leinster.

After a disallowed try and being stopped in the 22, Leinster finally managed to shove their way over for their second try with Thomas Clarkson crashing over, allowing them some breathing room. However, a try from the Lions at the stroke of half-time as Leinster's intensity started to drop off sent the home side a warning going into the second half.

With Leinster being held up on the line again to start the second half, belief continued to brew for the Lions while doubt started to settle in for Leinster, as they started to come off second best, with the next score coming potentially deciding the way the match would flip. And it looked like Leinster were going to be the ones coming off second best, with the South African side bearing down on their 22 for almost 22 minutes. However, some moments of individual brilliance from Culhane and Mangan once again were enough to see them over the line as they ran riot in the final ten minutes to secure a bonus point.

Scroll down for Leinster player ratings vs the Lions.

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Leinster: 31

Tries: Osborne (1') Clarkson (23'), Keenan (71') Ioane (73') O'Brien (80')

Cons: Prendergast (1' 23') Frawley (72')

Pens:

Lions: 7

Tries: Horn (34')

Cons: Smith (35')

Pens:

Leinster player ratings vs Lions:

15 Ciaran Frawley — 6

Starting at 15 in favor of Sam Prendergast, starting at 10, settled into the role nicely, showcasing the defensive acumen to play at fullback when needed. Fronted up physically and involved at every moment early on, however, started to struggle the more time that passed with the Lions' physicality. Would have thrived in a more open game of rugby.

14 Andrew Osborne — 7

Coming in on short notice to replace Joshua Kenny brought real energy to the game. However, his lack of experience compared to the multiple test internationals around him on display in moments with poor decision-making. Quality and dynamic in attack, but not enough of a statement to put his name forward over Leinster's more experienced options in big games.

13 Rieko Ioane — 7

After a standout performance at 14 against RC Toulon in the Champions Cup semi-final, proving today that the wing is his best position, with a poor showing at 13. Struggled to get involved from a defensive standpoint, looking like a passenger. Did his best work in attack in the final ten minutes when drifting out naturally to the wing and came up with a big moment to send Hugo Keenan over when it looked like a loss was a real possibility. Despite that, Garry Ringrose will most likely be favored in two weeks' time in Bilbao.

12 Jamie Osborne — 6

Starting at 12 in the absence of Robbie Henshaw, opened the game with a moment of individual brilliance in broken play to give Leinster an early lead. Much-needed minutes at center following his stint at 15 for Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations, ahead of the final.

11 Jimmy O'Brien— 7

Asked to bear a heavy workload with Rieko Ioane's deficiencies in defense, allowing the players around him to stand out as the perfect attacking option. Will not get any plaudits from the media, however, a performance that will be appreciated by Leinster's coaching staff. A well-deserved score at the end.

10 Sam Prendergast — 3

Settled into the game nicely from the boot, doing the dirty work on numerous occasions in covering the backfield and offering protection from the ruck. Encouraging signs given his physicality issues during big games in the past, however, he quickly slipped back into old habits, getting away with one after being burned for the Lions' opening try alongside Frawley before it was disallowed. The dynamic between the 10 and Frawley was dysfunctional at best, offering virtually nothing. Made too much noise despite a poor showing.

9 Luke McGrath — 8

Unlike Jameson-Gibson Park,instead of leading the attack, allowed the more creative players around him to take the reins. Clever work in to bail Leinster, Sam Prendergast, and Ciaran Frawley out, as expected from one of the most experienced stars on this Leinster team, Leo Cullen's side may have potentially got a different result if not for his leadership and composure.

1 Ed Byrne — 4

After being out of the team for a number of weeks due to being ineligible for the Champions Cup, Leinster's scrum took a massive step backward without Andrew Porter against a dominant Lions pack. Serviceable with his experience, but could be a concern for Leinster in the knockout rounds of the URC. Looked like the worst forward on the park for both teams.

2 John McKee — 5

3 Thomas Clarkson — 5

Did well to crash over for Leinster's second try against a stalwart Lions defense. His knockout experience on full show today with a consistent performance.

Nothing obvious, but quietly went about his business, looking like a test-experienced prop. Will be an interesting dynamic in the coming months in the contest with Tadgh Furlong.

4 Brian Deeny — 4

Brought off early upon his return. Respectable effort at set-piece; however, they struggled to match up physically to both of the Lions' more physically dominant locks.

5 James Ryan — 4

In a game that was largely decided by the efforts from the Lions' forwards, the Leinster captain had a mistake-free performance. However, his lack of leading from the front as captain, compared to the usual standard set by Caelen Doris, contributed to the game being as close as it was. Not enough to drop from the team, but looked to struggle without the usual quality of Joe McCarthy next to him.

6 Max Deegan — 5

7. Will Connors — 5

The lack of rugby over the last few weeks, compared to the Lions' starters on full display, a victim of Leinster's rotation throughout their knockout games

8. James Culhane — 8

Extremely impressive showing, the most dominant player on the field in the opening minutes of the game. Clearly wanting to make the most of the opportunity given to him, playing alongside his experienced teammates, dominant in every metric, looking as if he could have put on a player-of-the-match performance if not forced off early due to a head injury. Despite that, he returned to action, putting on an impressive showing, not shying away from the pressure with a vital turnover in the second half and the second-highest amount of carries in the game, and the most turnovers.

Replacements

16. Dan Sheehan — 7

Offered much-needed energy upon being brought into the fold, the first of Leinster's international front-row replacements to really impact the game, coming in after both Andrew Porter and Rabah Slimani.

17. Andrew Porter — 4

Came on in a big moment when Leinster were struggling to deal with a dominant Lions pack. After his player-of-the-match performance against Toulon, he surprisingly did not have much of an impact on Leinster's struggles. No significant issues aside from poor discipline, but less of an impact than what would likely have been expected.

18. Rabah Slimani — 7

Fronted up well physically to keep the Lions from scoring, but did not get much of an opportunity at set-piece time with how many phases of play the South African side managed to get through.

19 Diarmud Mangan — 8

Player of the match off the bench, his carrying ability allowed Leinster to really open up an otherwise unflinching Lions line. Came up with a massive moment upon returning from injury, the most impactful replacement of the game.

20 Scott Penny — 5

Coming on at a time when Leinster were struggling to make any inroads with their carrying, and did not offer any change in that regard.

21 Fintan Gunne — 5

Came on with just 5 minutes left and the bonus point already secured, but managed his role well with some quality box kicking and ruck speed.

22 Hugh Cooney — 7

Came on when the game was almost won and put the icing on the cake with a beautiful pass to send Ioane over for the bonus point try. A bright spark from an otherwise hard-fought game.

23 Hugo Keenan — 7

Finally broke the second-half deadlock to secure Leinster the win; unlike his usual quiet brilliance, he showed up as an option in attack and delivered when he was called upon.