Leinster v Stormers: Five takeaways as returning Ireland stars ‘ready’ for Six Nations ‘rigours’ while ‘disaster strikes’ for Manie Libbok and Stormers

Dan Sheehan celebrating with James Lowe and the Leinster competing with Manie Libbok for a high ball.

Following a 36-12 win for Leinster over the Stormers, here are our five takeaways from the United Rugby Championship encounter at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The top line

Leinster may have been without many of their Ireland stars but it did not matter as they put a strong Stormers side to the sword with an impressive second-half display. It was not perfect from the Irish province but they once again showed their class and depth to continue their winning run during the 2024/25 season.

Dan Sheehan and James Lowe were two Ireland squad members who were featuring on Saturday after recovering from injury and they proved their fitness impressively. Sheehan was among the star performers, touching down twice in the dominant triumph. Both were assisted by the similarly impressive Lowe, whose creativity was regularly on show during the contest.

All Blacks star Jordie Barrett was also magnificent and got himself on the scoresheet but elsewhere some of the so-called lesser lights were given a chance to shine. That included the excellent wing Andrew Osborne who, like Sheehan, went over for a brace as the hosts secured a dominant win.

James Lowe and Dan Sheehan

Considering their rather lengthy absences both players appear ready for the rigours of the Six Nations after getting back up to speed rather quickly. Sheehan was particularly impressive given that this was his first match since suffering an ACL injury against the Springboks last July.

The hooker has made a remarkable recovery to be ready in time for the upcoming international tournament and he was rewarded for his efforts with two tries. Rather aptly, it was Lowe, who was taking to the pitch after a two-month absence, who set up both as they looked in fine shape.

Known as a mobile front-rower, Sheehan showed that he hasn’t lost any of his pace as he latched on to Lowe’s break and pass to scamper over. That was then eclipsed when they combined brilliantly in the final quarter with the wing’s inch-perfect kick being brilliantly collected and finished by his Ireland team-mate.

It was Sheehan last significant action as the hooker was duly replaced just after the hour mark, but he – and Lowe – did more than enough to prove their fitness. Of course, next weekend is up another level from Saturday’s URC clash, but the signs are promising ahead of Ireland’s huge clash against England.

Manie Libbok’s exit

The Springboks playmaker is a polarising figure with his erratic goal-kicking usually one of the weaknesses of his game but he slotted a difficult conversion midway through the opening half and that boosted his confidence.

Following that effort, Libbok grew into the game as he kept the Stormers in the game with his outstanding skill set which created several attacking opportunities for the men from the Cape and one of those led to them crossing for a try midway through the opening half.

However, disaster struck for John Dobson’s charges as the 27-year-old was forced off the field with a leg injury in the 38th minute with the score 10-7 in the home side’s favour.

Up to that point, the Stormers were still very much in the game as Libbok was asking questions of Leinster’s defence but, with only two backline replacements on their bench – and neither of them a fly-half – the visitors imploded without the Bok’s game management and playmaking ability there to give them direction.

International stars

One of the benefits of having RG Snyman and Barrett in the squad, aside from their insane individual talent, is their ability to be available during the Six Nations window. Having their ability, composure and leadership at a time like this is akin to a cheat code and both were unsurprisingly influential in this encounter.

Barrett in particular was a class apart. Even if he’s not making 50-metre breaks, his ability to link play, off-load in the tackle and spot where the space will be is simply elite. The All Blacks star has settled in unbelievably well at Leinster and his qualities are being utilised superbly by the Irish province.

That also goes for Snyman, who adds a point of difference to their forward pack. While their attack still needs work, the Springbok’s ability to off-load allows them to keep the ball alive and find weaker areas of the opposition defence. He often drew in tacklers before firing the ball away, often setting up promising positions for the Irish province. They are two world-class players currently at the top of their game.

Fully-loaded Stormers disappoint

While Libbok’s departure was a definite setback for the Stormers, there were other factors which led to their downfall and they will be wondering why they were not more competitive as they fielded a strong matchday 23 with 10 Springboks in their squad.

However, their challenge came apart at the seams after half-time when they struggled to match Leinster’s intensity levels and the Irish province dominated after the interval, eventually winning the second period 21-5.

With Leinster having 69% of the possession and territory, the visitors were restricted mostly to defending and all that tackling took its toll in the game’s final quarter when Sheehan and Osborne crossed for tries which sealed Leinster’s victory.

However, with Leinster being without most of their first choice players – who have been called up to Ireland’s squad for the Six Nations – and the Stormers fielding close to what is their strongest squad, the visiting supporters will be disappointed that their team did not deliver a better performance.