Leinster player ratings make for grim reading after Champions Cup Final humiliation
It was a grim day for Leinster and Irish rugby as Leo Cullen’s side were trounced by a rampant Bordeaux-Begles side 41-19 at the San Mames in Bilbao.
In the blaring Basque sun, it was Leinster that struck first as Tommy O’Brien dotted down in the corner after 19 phases of attack. But that lead didn’t last long as Maxime Lucu sniped in under the post soon after.
The reigning champs took the lead after that as Pablo Uberti ran in unopposed after Leinster were unfortunate to give away a 5-metre scrum following Hugo Keenan’s tap on Bielle-Biarrey’s kick. Bordeaux’s momentum continued as Leinster couldn’t catch a break or slow the French side down. Bielle-Biarrey produced a moment of magic as he jinked past the Leinster defence, and Lucu added the extras to make it 21-7.
Garry Ringrose. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
And it looked like Bordeaux wrapped things up as after several bounces of the ball went their way from a Jalibert scuffed kick, Bielle-Biarrey dived under the post to extend their lead to 21.
And to make matters somehow worse than they already were, as Leinster tried to play hero ball out of their half with the clock in the red, Yoram Moefana intercepted Harry Byrne’s pass to make it a record 35-7 lead at the break.
Leinster were handed a lifeline when Lucu was sent to the bin for pulling Joe McCarthy down by his collar, and it was the second row and Garry Ringrose who went over to try to mount a comeback. However, as La Marseillaise rang around the stadium all second half, Lucu slotted over two penalties to put any doubt to bed as Bordeaux retained their Champions Cup title to the adoration of their sizeable travelling crowd as Leinster’s Champions Cup final heartbreak continues.
Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Hugo Keenan- 5
Got Leinster out of a couple of sticky situations, hard to fault him.
Tommy O’Brien- 3
Wasn’t at the races, looked like a deer in the headlights at points.
Garry Ringrose- 6
Wasn’t too fault defensively, took his try well and had some nice carries in attack.
Robbie Henshaw- 5
Didn’t do much to quell the momentum, but did solid in the few attacks they had.
Rieko Ioane- 6
Good to see him hit his stride on the wing, sadly it’s come a bit too late.
Rieko Ioane. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Harry Byrne- 2
Very disappointing performance, truly let the occasion get the better of him.
Jamison Gibson-Park- 5
Kicked well and did what he could to keep tempo up, but to no avail.
Andrew Porter- 6
Warrior-like out there at times, shame it was for nothing.
Dan Sheehan- 4
Miscommunication at the lineout and wasn’t as effective as in previous rounds.
Tom Clarkson- 3
Lost the scrum battle and wasn’t able to handle Bordeaux’s force.
Dan Sheehan is tackled by Pablo Uberti of Union Bordeaux Bègles. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Joe McCarthy- 7
Put the forwards on his back with his carrying, couldn’t do it all himself.
James Ryan- 3
Lineouts were a mess all day, and it was clear the calling wasn’t right.,
Jack Conan- 4
Uncharacteristically sloppy from Conan, not his finest day.
Josh Van der Flier- 5
Fought hard out there, didn’t get the better of Bordeaux’s explosive back row.
Caelan Doris (c)- 4
Didn’t challenge Bordeaux too much, spent more time asking for TMO reviews.
Ciarán Frawley. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Substitutes- 6
Never easy to chase a losing cause, but the replacements helped curb the onslaught. Ciarán Frawley showed that he was the man to choose from the start.
Coaches- 2
Leo Cullen and this coaching team have burned the fans for too long now. Nienaber’s defensive system capitulated on the biggest stage, and early second-half substitutes show Cullen didn’t get his starting team right.
