How the Munster players rated in their loss to Leinster
Shane Daly: Looked really comfortable under the ball and on the ball. He has the ability to play in any of the back three positions and that makes him invaluable. 8
Andrew Conway: Didn’t put a foot wrong, scored two tries and left nothing on the pitch. 9
Chris Farrell: Put in a Man of the Match performance and caused Leinster problems in the middle. Helped create the first try for his side. 9
Damian de Allende: Looked a bit rusty and the coach will have to talk to him about cheap shot penalties. 6
Keith Earls: Stephen Larkham’s game-plan will see the winger get more ball. Put in a good performance and capped it with a try. 8
JJ Hanrahan: Showed his true quality off quick ruck ball and with finishers like Andrew Conway and Keith Earls out wide, gave Munster an edge. Missed a costly conversion. 7
Conor Murray: Marshalled the backline well and has certainly improved from his pre-Covid displays. 7
Dave Kilcoyne: Not on long enough to be rated.
Niall Scannell: Put in a huge performance in the loose and will give the coach plenty to think about. 8
Stephen Archer: Was up against an old warhorse Cian Healy in the front row and wasn’t found wanting. Less prominent in the loose than we are used to. 7
RG Snyman Not on long enough to be rated.
Billy Holland: You could see the work he had put into taking the Blues lineout apart and followed it up on the pitch. He never lets the jersey down. 8
Peter O’Mahony: Played to his usual level and looked very energetic in his display despite taking a knock to the head. Shepherded runners brilliantly and within the laws. He epitomises the Munster spirit. 8
Tommy O’Donnell: Will have been glad to get game time under his belt and despite being up against an international back-row. 8
CJ Stander: Great carries and a super turnover after 25 minutes. He looks like another one to have benefitted from the break. Johnny Sexton felt the brunt of that with his first carry. 8
Jeremy Loughman: Came on a lot earlier than he reckoned with and put in a stern performance. Is becoming a prop to be reckoned with in this Munster pack. It’s an area where there is huge competition. 8
Jean Kleyn: Made his presence felt in the first line out, did knock on early in the second half when Munster looked to be threatening. 7
