Bristol Bears player ratings from Leinster defeat - 'A dominant display'

Bristol Bears were beaten 35-12 by Leinster at Ashton Gate on Sunday night in the opening pool stage game of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup

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John EvelySports Writer

21:29, 8 DEC 2024

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 8: Bristol Bears' Benhard Janse van Rensburg during the Investec Champions Cup match between Bristol Bears and Leinster Rugby at Ashton Gate on December 8, 2024 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

A valiant Bristol Bears faded against Leinster to lose 35-12 as Ashton Gate on Sunday in their opening pool stage game of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup.

Max Lahiff and Gabriel Ibitoye scored tries for Bristol, with Benhard Janse van Rensburg adding a conversion, but the Irish province were too strong with Sam Prendergast recording a brace to go with 10 points from the kicking tee along with tries from Jordan Larmour and debutant Jordie Barrett.

South West rugby reporter John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players…

15. Rich Lane - 5

The full-back looked sparky with the ball in hand and launched a fantastic 50/22 kick early in the contest, but sadly his match will be remembered for failing to deal with a chip kick from Prendergast that bounced off his chest and into the arms of Larmour to score during a key period of the game when Leinster were down to 13 men.

14. Jack Bates - 6

The winger used his intelligence to make yards with the ball in hand but doesn’t have the X-factor to beat top defences.

13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg - 8

The centre was moved into fly-half after just five minutes and considering it was his first appearance at the club as stand-off he did admirably. The South African challenged the line with ball in hand and was a relentless presence in defence but as Pat Lam put it post match the Bears were less fluid without their USA international.

12. Kalaveti Ravouvou - 5

The Fijian failed to shine with Leinster’s rush defence in the backs water-tight throughout.

11. Gabriel Ibitoye - 6

The winger struggled to get into the game but still managed to bag a try with an alert break down the blindside having come right across from the opposite wing to get involved. Kieran Marmion grubber in behind the Irish side’s defence and ibitoye was on hand to gather the bouncing ball and score.

10. AJ MacGinty - N/A

The USA international came off after five minutes after taking a massive, but legal, shot in the ribs from Garry Ringrose.

9. Harry Randall - 6

The scrum-half had some success challenging the Leinster defence around the fringes with his trademark darts and went toe-to-toe with Jamison Gibson-Park who is considered my many as the leading contender to be the British and Irish Lions number nine in the summer.

1. Ellis Genge - 8

The England star returned after a week off resting following the Autumn internationals and was a dominant force in all areas of the game, carrying hard and dominating Rabah Slimani in the scrum to repeatedly win penalties. Limped off with cramp.

2. Harry Thacker - 6

The hooker had a mixed day at the lineout in the difficult conditions with the wind and rain swirling around Ashton Gate. Brave in defence but did get pinged for a high tackle which is impressive when he is one of the shortest men on the pitch.

3. Max Lahiff - 8

The tighthead had an almighty game in the scrum against international opposition and transferred his power into driving over from short-range for a rare try in the first half.

4. James Dun - 8

The lock put in a powerful defensive display as he repeatedly put in dominant tackles, often with his second row partner, to counter the physicality of the Leinster pack.

5. Joe Owen - 8

The young lock continues to flourish and looked at home in his first start in the Champions Cup as he put his body around to good effect.

6. Santiago Grondona - 8

The Argentina international had one of his best games for the club as he troubled Leinster at the breakdown, coming up with important turnover penalties while also providing a solid lineout option. He seems to be flourishing at the Bears.

7. Fitz Harding - 7

The skipper was relentless in his efforts but couldn’t get his carrying game going against the big Irish side and with the conditions so wet and windy. So close to holding up Josh van der Flier for his try but the former World Player of the Year just got the ball down.

8. Bill Mata - 8

The Fijian colossus showed his value as a ball carrier as he blasted his way over the gain line, particularly in the build-up to the Lahiff try. Unable to get his offload game going in the wet.