Leinster Rugby are back in a Champions Cup final for the first time since 2012 after swatting Wales side Scarlets aside in a dominant 38 – 16 victory at a sun-drenched Aviva Stadium.
Leo Cullen’s Blues were relentlessly brutal in dispatching an inferior Welsh region, in the ERC Champions Cup semi-final with first half tries through James Ryan, Cian Healy and Fergus McFadden, before man-of-the-match Scott Fardy and Johnny Sexton crossed the whitewash in the second half. McFadden’s try on the stroke of half-time gave the three-time winner a significant 24-9 half-time advantage.
It was clear evidence of the work done by the Leinster squad to avoid a reprise of te PRO12 semi-final defeat to the same opposition at the RDS.
Leinster’s great season so far was highlighted by yesterday’s storming performance which produced their eighth European win and sets up the possibility of an all-Irish final in Bilbao in three weeks’ time.
Munster can close out the perfect equation for Irish rugby fans if they prevail in their semi-final against Racing 92 in Bordeaux.
Leigh Halfpenny’s three penalties from three attempts, and a late try from former Leinster forward Tadhg Beirne proved mere consolations for the visitors Scarlets who had large swathes of supporters left disapointed in the stands.
Ticket information for the Champions Cup Final has been emailed to Leinster Rugby Season Ticket holders by the Leinster Rugby Ticket Office.
So it’s off to the new San Mames in Beautiful Bilbao next month for the Blues!
