Leinster savage Scarlets to achieve stunning league and European double

Patrick McCarry

LEINSTER 40-32 SCARLETS

Jordan Larmour scored another stunning try as Leinster steam-rolled Scarlets to become the reigning Champions Cup and Guinness PRO14 champions. The champ champs, if you will.

Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster’s side ran in five tries against last season’s PRO12 winners to secure a historic double and prove, once again, they are the form team in Europe.

Johnny Sexton and Leigh Halfpenny traded early penalties but it was not until 23 minutes, when Sexton put his side 9-6 ahead, that the Blues started to get some real reward for their territorial and possession advantages.

Leinster were bossing the breakdowns and collisions and went close on a couple of occasions, close in, before Devin Toner finished off a relentless passage of play to make it 14-6. Johnny McNicholl squirrelled over on 35 minutes to make it 14-11 but Leinster were not done yet.

As they had during the Champions Cup semi-final at the same venue, they dropped the hammer before and after the half-time hooter sounded. Wave after wave of pressure, lineouts and rolling mauls had Scarlets under serious pressure but it was the backs that plunged the knife. Quick hands from Luke McGrath to Sexton and on to James Lowe before the Kiwi dived over in the corner to score. Sexton added a swerving conversion to make it 21-11.

Leinster have been nothing but ruthless this season when in winning positions and they stamped on Scarlets’ throats in the second half. After Jack Conan and James Ryan went close, the Welsh side must have felt they had weathered the storm when they won a turnover, kicked clear and roughed up Sexton in the process.

The Leinster outhalf responded with a bang-on kick to the corner. Ryan won the lineout, Leinster mauled and Sean Cronin darted over. After excanging verbals with several Scarlets men minutes beforehand, Sexton could not have enjoyed his latest touchline conversion any more.

We were then treated to THE moment of the match when Larmour gathered a dangerous grubber kick under pressure, stayed in touch, cleared up the pitch then outpaced two players before flicking the ball up for himself at full-tilt and diving over.

McNicholl added his second try of the final, on 64 minutes, but the day was already Leinster’s. That fact was driven home when a Joey Carbery break put Luke McGrath away and Jack Conan finished off under the posts. Werner Kruger and McNicholl (his hat-trick) got late consolations but the Scarlets fans were already leaving in droves.

A remarkable double has been achieved, and in some style.

Here’s how we rated the Guinness PRO14 champions:

Rob Kearney – 7.5

Claimed a hell of an impressive aerial ball inside the Scarlets 22 that had Leinster fans roaring in approval. Another fine game but will be disappointed with being out-jumped before a late Scarlets try.

Jordan Larmour – 8

Another try of the season contender with his kick-chase and O’Driscoll-esque flicked pick-up. Was on a mission to hound Steff Evans and Leigh Halfpenny as much as possible. Well bottled up by Scarlets every time he looked to get whirring.

Garry Ringrose – 8

Smart as a whip in defence – always thinking ahead and tying up two potential threats with his movement and body position. Nice grubber in behind Scarlets to win an attacking 10-metre lineout early in the second half. Almost got away for a breakaway try.

Isa Nacewa – 6

Made one carry and one tackle in his 18 minutes on the pitch but could eek no more from his body and limped off. The legend would have dearly loved to have been able to give more.

James Lowe – 8

Pinged a beaut of a kick into the Scarlets corner when Sexton was down for treatment. Got over in the corner for a game-changing try.

Johnny Sexton – 9

Kicking out of hand and from the tee was spot on in the first half. Put up a gem of a kick for Kearney to beat Halfpenny to. Was subject to close, rough treatment from Scarlets all day but responded each time. Great kick to the corner before Cronin’s try and pinged a couple of memorable touchline conversions.

Luke McGrath – 8

Bang on with an early box-kick that nutmegged Steff Evans. Made a smart line-break soon after that led to a Leinster penalty. Kearney let him have it for one lazy kick near the end of the first half. Set up Conan’s try after that Carbery break.

Cian Healy – 7

Came damned close to a try of his own before Toner got over. Made 11 carries and hit ball carriers and rucks with gusto in his 50 minutes.

Sean Cronin – 8

Lively outing from a man who enjoyed a superb second half to the season. Horsed over for a try in the corner that looked to crush Scarlets’ spirits.

Tadhg Furlong – 8

Pinged for a fairly deliberate jersey tug to give away a penalty. Always strong on the carry but goes hulk mode once he gets into the opposition 22.

Devin Toner – 8

Lineout beacon. Boshed over close in for his first Leinster try (and fourth in 218 games) in six years. Got the ball pinched off him by Tadhg Beirne after a lineout claim near the end of the first half.

James Ryan – 8

Early lineout steal (becoming his trademark). Made some big lineout claims in the second half and, like Toner, was so reliable for restarts. Was held up mere metres from the line off a Leinster scrum set-play.

Rhys Ruddock – 7

Did not make much ground with his 10 carries but sunk five big tackles and was very effective at the breakdown, in attack and defence.

Dan Leavy – 7

Pounced on a Halfpenny fumble to make a nice carry. Got his team on the front foot on a few occasions but did not have it all his own way.

Jack Conan – 9

Super burst and carry off the back of a Leinster scrum on their 22. Pancaked Rhys Patchell on one carry and was enjoying himself out there. Lung-busting support line rewarded with try in the closing stages.