Leinster player ratings vs Toulon: Champions Cup semi-finals

Saturday, 02 May 2026 at 17:03

byLiam Reynolds

Leinster player ratings vs Toulon as the four-star province reach the final in Bilbao in search of their fifth Investec Champions Cup trophy.

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Leinster fought back against multiple Toulon comebacks in order to secure their place in the final of the 2026 Investec Champions Cup.

Both sides threatened to strike early, with missed penalties from both Harry Byrne and Melvyn Jaminet. It was Leinster who finally managed to break the deadlock first, with Jack Conan crashing over off the back of an impressive Andrew Porter turnover. Toulon managed to strike back with a penalty off the back of a questionable high tackle from Garry Ringrose. Despite Leinster's constant assault on their 22, they managed to hold out, kicking another penalty to remain within striking distance.

With Leinster crashing over to make it a two-score game, Toulon's attack finally clicked on the stroke of half-time, with Leinster suffering a collapse as both Harry Byrne and Andrew Porter were sent to the sin bin.

However, the script was flipped on Toulon as Teddy Baubingy saw a yellow card in the early minutes of the second half while Leinster returned to their full complement, allowing them to take it beyond a one-score game once again. Another yellow card while Leinster were up by eleven dulled the hopes of a potential comeback. A period of dominance in the final ten minutes brought them back into the game with 4 minutes left, however, Leinster survived the brief scare as they await either Bath or Bordeaux in Bilbao.

Scroll down for Leinster player ratings vs Toulon:

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Leinster:29

Tries: Conan (12') Van Der Flier (32'), Ringrose (43') Doris (66')

Cons: Byrne (13') (32') (68')

Pens: Byrne (48')

Toulon: 25

Tries: Tuicuvu (37'), Serin (70') Drean (76')

Cons: Jaminet ('71) ('77)

Pens: Jaminet (16', 25')

Leinster player ratings vs Toulon:

15 Hugo Keenan — 6

A performance you could only enjoy from a birds-eye view, commanded Leinster's backline while faced with the pressure of Jaminet's boot. A quiet performance that will be appreciated by the coaching staff more than the fans.

14 Tommy O'Brien — 8

In the best form of his career, the Irish international made a statement tackle early in the game that set the scene for a standout defensive effort. Equally impressive in attack, making split-second decisions and offloads in front of an aggressive Toulon defense that had no answers in how to deal with him. Leinster's best attacking opportunities of the game all stemmed from the winger in hot form.

13 Garry Ringrose — 5

Outshone by the majority of the Leinster backs around him, a less than stellar effort at 13, leading to a number of potential opportunities for Toulon. The most obvious example of Leinster's issues and sloppy errors in attack. Deducted a rating for his conversion attempt.

12 Robbie Henshaw — 5

Exited the match early due to an injury 14 minutes in, the Leinster center offered a solid defensive performance during his brief spell in the game, completing the most tackles of any Irish player in that period.

11 Rieko Ioane — 4

A dynamic threat upon being switched from 13 to 11, the All Black international looked dangerous every time they got the ball in hand. Appearing almost everywhere in the field of play coming off his wing, creating opportunities. Erratic and inconsistent in defense, questionable in defending his position and with his decision making. Lucky to get away with costly mistakes that almost led to easy scores for the French side.

10 Harry Byrne — 4

An early missed penalty and poor kicking from open play, the Leinster out-half was erratic and nervous in the opening spell of the match. Left the creative duties to Leinster's wingers and Jameson Gibson-Park, an all-around subpar performance only heightened by a yellow card. Quiet but offered more stability in the second half.

9 Jameson Gibson Park — 6

A calm presence in a chaotic opening to the semi-final, carried the burden creatively while Harry Byrne struggled. Showcased impressive vision and decision-making, consistently creating chances and attempting audacious efforts to pin the French side in their own 22. However, poor when faced with the line, leading to a number of missed opportunities that almost cost Leinster.

1 Thomas Clarkson — 6

Fronted up against a Toulon pack that appeared to have the advantage on paper going into the game, the 26-year-old's performance meant that Leinster did not miss Tadhg Furlong. Another quality performance going into the end of the season could shoot him up on Andy Farrell's depth chart.

2 Dan Sheehan — 5

Quieter in attack compared to his usual world-class standard, perfect at lineout time. Could have potentially worked harder to get on the end of Leinster's numerous entries into the 22.

3 Andrew Porter — 8

First-half yellow card reignited Toulon's hopes. However, the international prop did not miss a step upon his return from injury against a stacked Toulon front row. Completely dominant at scrum time as well as offering a complete performance at the breakdown and in open play, including a key turnover that led to Leinster's first try. Carried on the front foot. All-around complete performance was mitigated by his time in the sin bin. Player of the match.

4 Joe McCarthy — 6

Showcased his importance to Leinster upon returning to the team. Despite Toulon's impressive front five, which was highlighted by Leinster's coaching staff during the week, the French side offered nothing at lineout time due to both McCarthy and James Ryan's performances, equally impressive at the breakdown.

5 James Ryan — 4

Looked out of sorts compared to his teammate at the same position, showcasing the type of inconsistent and erratic performance that he's been scrutinized for in recent years.

6 Jack Conan — 5

Crashed over for Leinster's opening try of the game. Aside from that, offered little impact at both the breakdown and carrying the ball.

7. Josh Van Der Flier — 5

Outshone by both of his international teammates, Leinster's breakdown struggled to make any real impact while the Irish side impressed in other areas. Forced off earlier than expected due to an HIA.

8. Caelan Doris (C) — 7

Targeted behind the gainline by Toulon's defense, singled out by the French side every time he got the ball in hand. Despite that, he responded to the challenge, stepping up as expected from Leinster's captain, both with the ball, setting up Leinster's second try with an impressive offload, as well as without it. The usual standard, coming up big in the important moments, including two vital moments in the 22, the province's most convincing attack option.

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher — 5

Came on with six minutes left in the game.

17. Jerry Cahir — 7

Showed up well during his brief first introduction to the game, continuing where Andrew Porter left off and completing Leinster's complete first-half dominance of Toulon's scrum. Continued to hold up in the second half, undoubtedly proving his composure in big game situations.

18. Rabah Slimani — 5

Did not have much of an opportunity to show out against his future club. On the field for the deciding scrum of the game, and made no mistake to see it out.

19 Alex Soroka — 4

Just like Jerry Cahir, asked to step up in the big moments following Jack Conan's injury. Came on when Toulon seemed out of sorts and filled in seamlessly for Conan; however, he did not offer the same impact as his French counterparts from the bench.

20 Scott Penny — 4

An opportunity to prove his form over Josh Van Der Flier going into the most important stretch of Leinster's season. Did not offer anything special, and was outperformed significantly by Toulon's replacements.

21 Luke McGrath — 5

22 Sam Prendergast — 4

A questionable decision to place him on the wing with Harry Byrne's struggles, did not have the chance to show much, and may have potentially been a liability in defense with more time left in the game.

23 Jamie Osborne — 5

Introduced to the match earlier than expected following Robbie Henshaw's injury. Questionable in defense, looked out of position at 12 compared to his stint as a winger during Ireland's 2026 Six Nations campaign.