Leinster player ratings as the Blues come good in URC final
Dominant throughout and hungry for more to the end, it wasn't just the Leinster superstar cadre that were putting in massive shifts.
Thomas Clarkson's place in the Irish rugby hierarchy was cemented as he monstered a supposedly superior Bulls front-row.
Ireland may have Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham on the Lions Tour but Clarkson is now firmly in place behind them.
Ryan Baird was outstanding at the lineout while a special word for stand-in Luke McGrath who came in as a late replacement for Jamison Gibson Park.
Jimmy O'Brien - Regularly in the right place at the right time whether to field a kick or make a tackle. 8
Tommy O'Brien - Not a lot to do out wide as Leinster's plan remained conservative but delivered when needed. 8
Garry Ringrose - Enthusiastic, always looking for work and a major thorn in the Bulls through the 80 mins. 8
Jordie Barrett - Involved early and often, sensational 14th minute 'soccer' chip and chase on for his try. 9
James Lowe - Livewire all day, clearly desperate to get on the scoresheet the more the game progressed. 8
Sam Prendergast - Early kick settled him, two missed either side of half-time, led the side well out-half. 8
Luke McGrath - Heard, heeded Barrett's call ahead of second-try and launched perfect chip kick. Hero for a day. 8
Andrew Porter - Referee Piardi, who will be the Lions second Test ref, never has problems with Porter's technique. 9
Dan Sheehan - Solid scrummaging and a powerhouse with the ball about the field for his 55 minute stint. 9
Thomas Clarkson - First scrum penalty after 4 minutes, murdering the Bulls scrum for his 55 minutes. 10
Joe McCarthy - Played an important part, his power helping to keep the Bulls pack from dominating. 8
James Ryan - Another demonstration of solidity and concentration that has earned him a first Lions call up. 8
Ryan Baird - Powerhouse display, Man of the Match. Took in the first two line-outs, the second setting up first try. 10
Josh van der Flier - Set the tone with first metres-gaining carry, bagged the third try just after first quarter. 9
Jack Conan - The skipper put in a huge shift on the day Leinster managed to get back to trophy-winning days
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher 8, Jack Boyle 8, Rabah Slimani 8, RG Snyman 8, Max Deegan 7, Luke Fintan Gunne 8, Ross Byrne 7, Jamie Osborne n/a
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux 5; Canon Moodie 6, David Kriel 6, Harold Vorster 3, Sebastian de Klerk 6; Johan Goosen 5, Embrose Papier 6; Jan-hendrik Wessels 4, Johan Grobbelaar 5, Wilco Louw 5, Cobus Wiese 6, JF van Heerden 6, Marco van Staden 6, Ruan Nortje (capt) 6, Marcell Coetzee 5
Replacements: Akker van der Merwe 4, Alulutho Tshakweni 5, Mornay Smith 5, Jannes Kirsten 5, Nizaam Carr 5, Zak Burger n/a, Keagan Johannes 5, Devon Williams 5
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