An extremely close call for Leinster as Ian Madigan’s six penalties saw them beat Bath 18-15.
The Blues are into the Champions Cup last four after battling to victory at the Aviva Stadium. Here is how we rated Matt O’Connor’s men:
Rob Kearney 5
Brave under the high ball (as ever). Missed a drop goal attempt from 40 metres out and kicked out on the full to spoil a decent counter-attacking chance. Bath made their possession count and eventually scored a second try from the resulting line-out.
Fergus McFadden 5
Gets a point alone for that bone-rattler on Anthony Watson. Looked hesitant with ball-in-hand. Lack of game-time a factor. Targeted by Bath, who kicked a lot of ball in his direction. Fell off a couple of tackles. Off as a concussion precaution after taking Kyle Eastmond shoulder to the head.
Ben Te’o 6
Hit and miss. Made some nice gains and a couple of offloads but was stripped of possession on the Bath 22.
Ian Madigan 7
Missed two tackles in a short apace of time during the George Ford try-scoring sequence. His usual, consistent self [in the blue jersey] with kicks off the tee.
Luke Fitzgerald 7
Looked lively and sought to probe Bath’s defensive lines all day. Was away for a try if Heaslip’s first-half pass was not forward. Always scrambled for that extra metre gained. A nuisance.
Jimmy Gopperth 8
His kicking for touch was superb, gaining extra yardage to increase the pressure on Bath. Put too much on some kicks out of hand. Should have been away for a breakaway try but referee Jerome Garces is a clown [he called back play for a forward Bath pass]. Saved the day with touch down behind Leinster’s whitewash after Reddan’s kick was charged down.
Isaac Boss 7
Passing was usually on the money and stealthy. A couple of nice grubbers.
Cian Healy 8
Has little or no regard for his personal safety. Flung himself into contact with whomever was closest. Won a couple of scrum penalties that put points on the board after an iffy opening set-piece. Guilty of a couple of missed tackles. Ford cruised between himself and Toner for Stuart Hooper’s try. Won a huge penalty, on 52 minutes, as he destroyed Newport-Palma.
Sean Cronin 6
Used frequently in the opening stages by Leinster. Lovely link-up with Murphy down the left wing but conceded a penalty that George Ford missed. Loves an offload, this guy.
Mike Ross 7
Missed a tackle on Francois Louw in the early stages of the Ford try. Had the better of his side of the scrum for most of the afternoon.
Devin Toner 5
Another player to tackle air for that Ford try. Himself and Healy at fault for the Hooper try. Absolutely crucial line-out steal on 70 minutes.
Mike McCarthy 7
Laid in a couple of crunching blows in the opening twenty minutes. Shot out of the defensive line to force a Bath knock-on when they had men over on the right wing.
Jordi Murphy 6
Showed slick hands in a nice break up the left flank. One-off runner for a lot of plays but made minimal gains.
Sean O’Brien 7
Showed great strength to win a turnover at a Bath ruck, with Jonathan Joseph caught holding on. Bath had him well marshalled but he still managed a couple of strong carries.
Jamie Heaslip 7
Scuppered a two-man overlap with a forward pass at Gopperth’s bootlaces. Tasty hit on Ford just before half-time. Charged down a kick from the out-half too.
Replacements
Richardt Strauss 4
[On for Cronin ’65] A wretched line-out throw straight to Bath’s Matt Garvey after 72 minutes.
Jack McGrath 5
[On for Healy ’59] A couple of big tackles in open play.
Marty Moore 7
[On for Ross ’50] Anchored the scrum on his first involvement as Healy drove and won a penalty. Won his team a vital penalty with some strong counter-rucking.
Tom Denton N/A
[On for McCarthy ’71] Nothing of note.
Dominic Ryan N/A
Not used.
Eoin Reddan 3
[On for Reddan ’58] Pointless box-kicks with far too much on them. Clearance kick charged down; saved by Gopperth.
Gordon D’Arcy N/A
[On for Kearney ’74] Turned over on the deck, seconds after coming on.
Zane Kirchner 6
[On for McFadden ’42] Almost had a try after 30 seconds but was bundled over the touchline in the right-hand corner. Solid in defence when called upon.
