Player ratings: Leinster vs Edinburgh

Leinster secured their first win of the season with a six try demolition of a dreadful Edinbugh side at the RDS. Tries from Luke Fitzgerald (3), John Fogarty, Shane Jennings and Chris Keane, plus 22 points from the boot of Felipe Contepomi continued Leinster’s remarkable home form.

Player ratings:

 

Girvan Dempsey: Given the rotational policy adopted by Cheika, Dempsey was likely to see plenty of action this season. Based on Friday night’s performance, there can be few complaints. Solid, if unspectacular, as ever. The truth is Leinster will miss The Swirve when he does move on. 7

 

Rob Kearney: Was buzzing until he was clattered in mid air and removed at the break. Set up Fitzgerald’s opener with an incisive break off his wing, and left boot used effectively. 5

 

Brian O’Driscoll: Another game better than the previous, O’Driscoll was in good form on Friday night. Defensively more solid, but the draught of tries must be a worry. 7

 

Felipe Contepomi: Sumptuous flick for Fitzgerald’s third try and nine from eleven with the placed ball. All round a marked improvement from last week. 7

 

Luke Fitzgerald: The writing was on the wall for the hapless Chris Patterson when Fitzgerald decided to wreck havoc on the left wing. The Scottish maestro, having already been beaten for pace by Dempsey early on, was heading for the bath ten minutes after the break. Hat-trick and efficient use of the boot. 9

 

Jonno Sexton: Ha ha ha. Just not good enough. Offered nothing until replaced within thirty minutes. Might get a game for St. Mary’s soon. 0

 

Chris Whitaker: Another who revelled in the vast open spaces and porous Edinburgh defence. Will be better tested in coming weeks. 7

 

Stan Wright: One bad scrum marred an excellent return. The ovation from the crowd told all. Great effort and commitment, and made a few nifty breaks. Good to see him back – and if only he was Irish. 8

 

Bernard Jackman: Threw one crooked, but all-in-all, enjoying the throwing considerably more than his Irish hooking rivals. Another all action display. 7

 

Ronan McCormack: The tribute was the fact he last eighty minutes after looking knackered last week. Solid in the scum, and one mighty hit in the second half were his legacies. 7

 

Trevor Hogan: Solid, like Kearney, until injury forced him off. Toner again looked a better player when introduced, and Elsom’s arrival may signal a reshuffle for Jowitt. Hogan’s Leinster days are numbered 5

 

Malcolm O’Kelly: Another fabulous performance in the loose, and in the tight. Looking a big game player again. Only black mark was his delicious sixty yard pump that went out on the full. 8

 

Cameron Jowitt: For Jowitt, read Whitaker, Contepomi and O’Driscoll. The new laws favour him more than Keogh. 7

 

Shane Jennings: Still looks to be carrying too much weight, but more involved than last week. Could have scored a brace, but Leinster will need Jennings to up another gear with Tom Rees & Friends looming. 6

 

Jamie Heaslip: The man is so talented that people are questioning his form. Not his usual barnstorming best, but we are only two games in. Effective. 7

 

Replacements:

 

Cian Healy: Not on long enough to rate

 

John Fogarty: Unconfined joy when he scuttled over for the bonus point. The Cork man had another clean sweep in the line outs, but bigger and better tests await. 7

 

Devin Toner: Left off from last week. Enjoying his rugby. The laws are helping. 7

 

Sean O’Brien: Leinster should let this maniac off the lease to rampage more often. The young man is an animal, and is looking like a serious threat to Jennings’ open side jersey. 7

 

Chris Keane: Scored one, set up another. Tougher days lie ahead. 7

 

Isa Nacewa: Many people’s man of the match for his game changing introduction. Aside from his kicking, which tends to be a tad too long, Nacewa is looking like a great capture. All tricks and great feet, a wonder to watch. Should have seen red for the spear tackle though. 9

 

Shane Horgan: More like it from the Meath man. Heavily involved and no errors. Maybe a spot on the bench did him some good. 7