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The Player Ratings As Leinster Eventually Swat Wasps Aside To Reach Semis

The Player Ratings As Leinster Eventually Swat Wasps Aside To Reach Semis
Gavan Casey
By Gavan Casey
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Leinster are the first team into the European Champions Cup semi-finals after a 32-17 victory over London Wasps at the Aviva Stadium.

Tries for Isa Nacewa, Jack Conan, Robbie Henshaw and Fergus McFadden - and a first-half blitz in particular - were enough to see off the Premiership high fliers after a superb game of knockout rugby.

Here are our player ratings from Leinster's win:

Backs

Joey Carbery: 7.5

One of the finest passes you'll see all season put Nacewa over in the corner for Leinster's opener. A break and one-two with McFadden put Conan away for their second. A magisterial first-half display marred slightly by a couple of instances where he got himself isolated in the second. One such incident resulted in Christian Wade's try, although Carbery might ask the question of his wingers as to why nobody was covering for him at 15. BOD's man of the match.

Adam Byrne: 6.5

Wasps' decision to target Byrne from early restarts paid dividends...for Leinster. Taken off injured early after a decent start.

Garry Ringrose: 8

A couple of nice line-breaks in the first half. Quiet third quarter but exploded back into action with a sumptuous break on 66 minutes. His footwork is just a bit different. Defended well again.

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Robbie Henshaw: 8

Poor missed tackle on Kurtley Beale before Willie Le Roux made an absolute dog's bollocks of a certain try, dropping the ball mid-dive as he crossed the line. What a plonker. Anyway, back to Henshaw; made up for it with a fine line and finish for Leinster's third. Produced glimpses of what we want to see from him, cleanly breaking the line as well as consistently making his trademark couple of yards in contact. Recovered well to gather an Elliot Daly kick near the hour mark as Leinster retreated.

Isa Nacewa: 7

Took his score with no shortage of aplomb and once more led superbly, asking enough questions of Owens regarding Wasps' frequent indiscipline. Bone-crunching first-half hit on Beale laid down a marker even if the Aussie had already knocked on. Tired late on and made a couple of poor decisions.

Johnny Sexton: 7

A solid performance, but today was more about those around him. Got the ball rolling, as you'd expect, and once more refused to shy away from the physical collision. Crucially, escaped relatively unscathed.

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Luke McGrath: 7.5

Sharp around the fringes and quick-thinking throughout. Slip led to Gopperth's superb individual try, but McGrath wasn't entirely blameless; Gopperth essentially put him on his arse with a quick change of direction on a greasy surface. Still, once more looked like an established starter and controlled the furious pace of the game - particularly early doors - seemingly with ease.

Forwards

Jack McGrath: 7.5

A typical McGrath display. Solid carrying and huge work on the deck. Job done near the hour mark.

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Richardt Strauss: 7

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One overthrown early lineout aside, Strauss put in a monumental effort. Carried well and worked tirelessly both on the ground and in Leinster's perfect scrum.

Tadhg Furlong: 8.5

As if his Lions place wasn't already secured, he sidestepped Danny Cipriani after about 11 minutes. Continued to unleash his wrath on Wasps defenders, while his usual fare both on the ground and in the scrum was near spotless.

Devin Toner: 8.5

Made a crucial lineout steal ahead of Joe Launchbury just as Wasps had gained a foothold and momentum. Another fine display culminated in a barge over the gainline which led to McFadden's game-ending try. Our man of the match, for all it's worth.

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Hayden Triggs: 7.5

Not bad for 35. A Donnacha Ryan-like display, if you'll pardon the cross-provincial comparison. Not on the commentators' lips too often, but usually because he was buried in the breakdown protecting Leinster ball.

Dan Leavy: 8

Unbelievable work on the ground and an outstanding tackle count once more from Leavy, who also carried well. A sublime all-round back row display.

Seán O'Brien: 8

Put his hand back up for a Lions slot today with a tremendous performance, first half in particular. You know the drill with O'Brien, at this stage. He was on one today.

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Jack Conan: 8

Broke out the barrel-ball and sent Danny Cipriani into a different Eircode on the half-hour mark and never looked back. Cracking finish after Carbery magic for Leinster's second.

Finishers Replacements

James Tracy: 7

One penalty aside, excellent control of the scrum on his introduction.

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Cian Healy: 7.5

Carried a huge amount of ball for half an hour.

Michael Bent: 7

Filled in capably for the departing Furlong.

Ross Molony: 7

Picked up where Triggs left off.

Josh van der Flier: 7.5

Early introduction as Leavy was treated for a blood injury saw VDF win a loose ball on the ground almost immediately, setting Leinster on the offensive. Second introduction saw more of the same, with strong carrying to close the show.

Jamison Gibson-Park: 6

Just doesn't offer sufficient control at the base. Leinster seemed to lose something when McGrath was withdrawn.

Fergus McFadden: 8

Typically solid display. Showed great composure in exchanging passes with Joey Carbery before Conan's try. Took his score well and killed the game.

SEE ALSO: Watch: Showboating Willie Le Roux Butchers Certain Try For Wasps At The Aviva

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