A relentless masterclass from Leinster as the exacted punishing revenge on a Scarlets team that stunned them in a PRO12 semi-final last season.
Leinster are off to Bilbao for the 2017/18 Champions Cup final after hammering Scarlets 38-16 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Tries from James Ryan, Cian Healy, Fergus McFadden, Scott Fardy and Johnny Sexton had the Blues 31 points up with a quarter of the game to go but Scarlets lock Tadhg Beirne got over for a late try that was no more than a consolation.
Here is how we rated the boys in blue:
Rob Kearney – 7
An absolute beauty of a clearing kick off the outside of his boot was an early highlight. Looked like he delayed his pass to McFadden too long but Ryan got over on the next phase. Kicked one dead just after half-time but was lively in attack. Close to a long-awaited try late on but was dragged out of play.
Fergus McFadden – 8
Good hard carry and was nearly over before Ryan opened the Leinster account. Great hands and awareness to snatch a potentially dangerous grubber kick. Shelled a Scarlets re-start under no pressure after 20 minutes and the Welsh side won a penalty from the resulting scrum. Recovered well to win his side an attacking scrum after a Sexton aerial bomb. Got a much deserved try just before half-time but was injured in the process and went off.
Garry Ringrose – 6.5
Did well to shut down a 4-on-2 Scarlets attack and win his side a turnover. That was his biggest contribution but he did stay busy all afternoon, although there were a couple of missed tackles that he’ll look back on ruefully.
Robbie Henshaw – 8
Showed no signs of rust after his 10 weeks out after shoulder surgery. Made two big tackles on James Davies and Rob Evans in the space of six seconds. Led the backline for tackles and rucks hit while showed up for some decent carries.
Isa Nacewa – 5
Quiet game from Nacewa. Made a clean break in the first half but did not see much ball in attack. Kicked the ball out 10 metres up the field to squander possession for little return. Teed up Kearney for a late try effort but the fullback was bundled out.
Johnny Sexton – 8
Took a little while to get going but was soon testing the Scarlets line, putting up testing kicks and calling the shots. Great line break in the lead-up to Fardy’s try. Grabbed himself a try just before he went off and converted it to reach 18 points for the game.
Jamison Gibson Park – 7.5
Brought great energy and crisp passing to the party. Vital tap-tackle on Davies early in the piece. Did not falter on the big occasion.
Cian Healy – 8
Bulled his way over for Leinster’s second try after they had Scarlets under the pump. Made 10 carries in his 52-minute shift and most of them got over the gainline.
Sean Cronin – 7.5
Got shut down by Ken Owens on one carry but made a nice line break off a lineout move soon after. Made a superb burst early in the second half that put Scarlets in all sorts of trouble. Moments later he let them off the hook with a high tackle.
Tadhg Furlong – 7
Some good carries in the opening stages but was penalised at the scrum by Romain Poite after Rob Evans got the better of him.
Devin Toner – 7
Some demon for clearing out men way beyond the ruck. Gave it the full 80 minutes again and hit double figures for tackles landed.
James Ryan – 8.5
James Ryan has been so good today!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) April 21, 2018
Got his team going with a forceful carry from close in and an excellent score. Huge carries that really wore Scarlets down.
Scott Fardy – 8
Pinged for an early, high tackle on Steff Evans. Lovely block on a Davies clearing kick sparked his side soon after. Carried about three Scarlets men over the tryline to put Leinster 29-9 ahead.
Dan Leavy – 8
Appeared to be handed a brief that read – Hound the breakdown, tackle everything red that moves. Second only to Ryan for carries and he led the way for tackles while he was on the pitch. Secured a handy turnover just before he left the field.
Jordi Murphy – 7
Crucial tackle stopped Steff Evans dead in his tracks to stop a dangerous break. Didn’t miss a single tackle and made a couple of nice carries.
Replacements
Jordan Larmour (for McFadden ’40) – 6
Lovely rip from Rhys Patchell that helped set up Fardy’s try. Was brushed off easily in a couple of encounters with Steff Evans.
Jack McGrath (for Healy ’52) – 5
Tidy enough but did miss a couple of tackles.
James Tracy (for Cronin ’56) – 5
Joey Carbery (for Sexton ’61) – 5
Andrew Porter (for Furlong ’61) – 5
Jack Conan (for Leavy ’66) – 6.5
Came on and brought some nice intensity.
Nick McCarthy (for Gibson Park ’70) – 5
Ross Molony (for Ryan ’70) – 5
