By Tom Sansom at Aviva Stadium
Leinster player ratings as the Irish province booked their place in the URC final with a hard-fought 20-11 victory over the Stormers in Dublin. Leo Cullen’s side will now face The Bulls in next week’s showpiece
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Heroics from Player of the Match Jamison Gibson-Park put the close-fought match beyond all doubt, in what was a tense afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.
Scroll down for Leinster player ratings vs Stormers.
Leinster will now host the URC final on Friday June 19th, as they welcome the Bulls to Croke Park. The Pretoria side booked their spot in the final after defeating Glasgow Warriors 22-21 earlier today in Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium.
Leinster started the match off hot, with Reiko Ioane nailing a strike move for the eighth minute opener. The All Blacks midfielder exploded onto a looping pass from Jamie Osborne, to split the defence in half. Sam Prendergast nailed his first crack at the posts for a seven point lead, before adding back-to-back penalties through the uprights for a 13-0 advantage after 23 minutes.
The Stormers responded through lock Adre Smith, who bundled his way across the whitewash with a close range drive just five minutes later. The Stormers then flexed their muscles at scrum-time, with Ntuthuko Mcunu powering over Thomas Clarkson for a penalty, that Jurie Matthee dutifully slotted. The sides departed with the score-line at 13-8, before tempers flared and a 30-man scuffle broke out down the Aviva Stadium tunnel.
The Stormers got the first points of the second half, with Matthee nailing a three-pointer to close the gap down to 13-11. Dislipline then proved to be a major problem for the Stormers, with Leolin Zas, Ruan Ackermann and Salmaan Moerat all sent to the sin bin. Ackermann’s offense was upgraded to a red card, following his dangerous ruck clear-out to the head of Ronan Kelleher. Leinster took immediate control with the extra players, as Jamison Gibson-Park skipped free for the match winning try with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
LEINSTER PLAYER RATINGS VS STORMERS:
15. Hugo Keenan 8.5
Leinster fans delighted to see their full-back in full flight. Brilliant work to snub out a 10th-minute cross-field kick bound for Wandisile Simelane. Always in support of the game-breakers and made a nice charge in tow of James Lowe. Incredible work to track back and tackle Imad Khan, with his sevens pace on show.
Incredible speed from Hugo Keenan to save a breakaway Stormers try
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) June 6, 2026pic.twitter.com/uvxSW9OCTo
14. Jimmy O’Brien 6
Juggled a ball forward in the early goings as Leinster had the front foot, with a game of kick-tennis then breaking out. Made a series of challenging breaks along the channels, and also presented himself as a neat go-forward option through the centre of the park.
13. Rieko Ioane 7
Got Leinster up and running on the scoreboard with a stunning strike move that split the Stormers defence, thanks to the wide pass from Jamie Osborne. Showcased his underrated defensive contributions against plenty of powerful ball-carriers. Fumbled a 38th-minute attack, with the try-line beckoning for the All Blacks centre. After a quiet middle third, roared back into life with some explosive carries when his side needed him most.
12. Jamie Osborne 6.5 (OFF 61)
Provided a lovely assist for his midfield partner, as Rieko Ioane opened up the Leinster try-scoring after six minutes. Put his body on the line with some excellent defensive work against a relentless Stormers outfit.
11. James Lowe 8
The fan favourite got an immense ovation, as the rumours rise about a possible departure from Dublin. Raced away for a first-half break, yet his offload back inside only found Stormers hands at 20 minutes. Knocked forward a covering high ball at the half-hour mark, which handed the Stormers nice field position. Lifted the Aviva with a thumping 37th-minute carry, before his offload found Keenan. Rose to the occasion in the second half with some impressive contributions that warranted a solid overall rating.
James Lowe shows his strength once again!
— All Things Rugby (@AllThingsRugbyX) June 6, 2026
Trying to stop him with a high tackle is asking for trouble.#URC #LEIvSTO #Rugby pic.twitter.com/yR8SP9obtc
10. Sam Prendergast 6.5 (OFF 57)
Pinned the Stormers on the back foot with some methodical kicks to touch. Happy to take on goal-kicks from the 17th minute, to keep the scoreboard ticking for the Dubliners. Tried to vary the attack with a 36th-minute chip chase, that came to no avail. Wheeled the ball straight at the head of Gibson-Park, prompting a quick on-field assessment. Not his magical best, yet showed glimpses with a neat dummy down the right-hand side.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park 9
Took the boot to the ball in the early goings, with some well-executed box kicks asking questions of the Stormers. Skipped away for a few neat breaks, with the wind in his sails. The Ireland nine put a lot of hang-time on his box kicks, with almost every ball contested by the men in blue, along with some expertly weighted touch-finders. Shrugged off the ball being booted straight at his head from point-blank range by his own out-half. Raced free for the match-winning try, to send the Leinster fans into a frenzy.
The moment that might just seal it for @leinsterrugby!
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) June 6, 2026
Jamison Gibson-Park comes up with a massive trypic.twitter.com/awNbEqpQS8
1. Andrew Porter 4 (OFF 20)
A short-lived afternoon against ruthless scrummagers. Porter collapsed at the 14th-minute engagement that had the Stormers pinned on their own 5m. In some discomfort and departed at 20 minutes, following a malfunctioning and wheeled scrum.
2. Rónan Kelleher 6 (OFF 69)
Received a talking-to by referee Hollie Davidson, as the Stormers flexed their muscles at scrum time. Kelleher kept the lineout sharp, yet there were some question marks around the scrum, with an injured Dan Sheehan unavailable. A lot of scrum-time struggles against the South African side. Despite this, Kelleher put his heart and soul into the efforts around the pitch, and was withdrawn from a heavy shot at a ruck, albeit with no injury apparent.
3. Thomas Clarkson 5 (OFF 54)
Had the tough task of fronting up against arguably the world’s most in-form loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu, with the Stormers man sending Clarkson back on a few engagements. Does not get low enough to deny Adre Smith his try from close range. A 33rd-minute scrum on the Leinster 5m was overpowered by Mchunu, for an easy three-pointer for the Stormers. The scrum issues continued into the second half, on a tough outing.
4. Joe McCarthy 6.5 (OFF 69)
Whilst the towering lock was always a go-to carrying option, McCarthy was impressive with the ball in hand and delivered some neat touches to bring in his support runners. Worked his socks off around the defensive side of the ball, with a constant presence at the rucks.
5. James Ryan 6.5
When Leinster had their backs against the wall, Ryan was on hand to provide a safe carrying option and make important yards. Wrestled for the ball with some arduous work at the ruck, in what was a tough afternoon for the Leinster forwards. Rallied on after being up-ended at a lineout for a nasty landing.
6. Max Deegan 7
An early error squandered Leinster’s lineout drive, with the ball thrown to the deck four minutes on. Rallied back from the early setback, and put in the commendable hard yards to dig in time and again for the men in blue. Battled well in the air, stealing a momentum-swinging lineout at the hour mark.
7. Josh van der Flier 6 (OFF 54)
An early knock-on spilt the ball forward, as Leinster knocked on the door in the opening phases, with the Stormers clearing the danger. Quick to react to an over-thrown Stormers lineout, as Leinster rallied the offensive. Needed some medical help midway through the first half, with some clear discomfort that may have forced his early departure.
8. Caelan Doris (c) 7
Heart-on-the-sleeve contributions from the back row, as Caelan Doris was more often than not spotted amongst the boots of the breakdowns. Led a reassuring 33rd-minute huddle, which forced the surging Stormers to wait and fizzle out their momentum. Led from the front with a strong carry on the hour mark, as Leinster’s lead slipped to just two points.
Replacements
16. Gus McCarthy (ON 69) 6
Replaced Rónan Kelleher for the closing nine minutes, as Leinster seized control in the hard-fought encounter. Tightened up the lineout, and the scrum improved towards the end.
17. Alex Usanov 6 (ON 20)
It was an earlier introduction than the prop had anticipated, as Andrew Porter left the pitch after just 20 minutes. The replacement prop also succumbed to the Stormers’ scrummaging might, with a 31st-minute penalty against him. Emptied the tank on what would have been a brutal hour against the Cape Town side.
18. Rabah Slimani (ON 54) 7
Obvious orders to tighten up the scrum, yet the opening set-piece was again handed the way of the Stormers. Tried his hand at a few carries, with short and sturdy dents upon the Stormers line. Great work from the tighthead to steal the ball at a 67th-minute breakdown.
19. Diarmuid Mangan (ON 69) 5.5
Not a spotlight-taking performance from the bench, but helped steady the Leinster pack towards the closing stages.
20. Jack Conan (ON 54) 7
Immediately involved upon his second-half introduction, as Leinster fought tooth and nail to hold on to their slipping lead. Flew off his line and lifted the tempo for the Dubliners’ defensive efforts.
21. Luke McGrath (ON 75) 5
The Leinster legend was given a nice five-minute cameo in his final match, in the wake of Player of the Match Jamison Gibson-Park.
22. Harry Byrne (ON 57) 6
Took over the reins from Sam Prendergast as Leinster had taken their foot off the accelerator. Tried to calm and steady the ship, yet made some handling and passing mishaps with the nerves apparent.
23. Garry Ringrose (ON 61) 7
It seemed like the Ireland midfielder was given orders to punch holes and fight for every inch of turf. Ringrose only had 19 minutes on the pitch, yet his contributions felt far greater.
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