Leinster complete double in Dublin
SCARLETS coach Wayne Pivac believes his side can bounce back and compete for silverware next season.
Champions Cup winners Leinster put the Welshmen to the sword with tries from Devin Toner, James Lowe, Sean Cronin, Jordan Larmour and Jack Conan.
The Scarlets battled hard, scoring four tries of their own including a hattrick to Johnny McNicholl and a late try from prop Werner Kruger.
“We have some quality players coming in next season who are replacing some quality players who are leaving,” said Pivac.
“We think our squad is progressing nicely and we are confident we can compete as well as we have this season. The boys showed the true character of the side and how far we’ve come at the end of a long season showed.
“We have to take our hat off to Leinster they are a very, very good side. We obviously want to win the PRO14 back so we have a lot of hard work to do over the summer to catch up with Leinster who are a great side with a big budget.”
Scarlets captain Ken Owens was proud of his side’s effort.
“Wayne said after the game it takes a champion side to beat another champion side,” said Owens
“They put a hell of a performance and sometimes you just come up against a better side.
“A few seasons ago it took a try-saving tackle from Scott Williams out in Treviso to allow us to sneak into the Champions Cup. But now we are competing to win silverware which shows how far we’ve come.”
Leinster became only the sixth side to have won a European and domestic double in one season.
And Ireland lock Devin Toner believes his side can go on to even greater things over the coming seasons.
“The hard work we’ve put in as a squad has come through,” said Toner.
“Leo said we’ve used 53 players this season, we have a special group of young lads coming through and a few old heads.
“There is a bit of experience and some young lads who have done absolutely brilliantly for us this year, you just have to look at the likes of James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose – the list goes on.
“There is a whole lot of talent there that has burst onto the scene. I last scored at least 150 games ago, it’s been a couple of years they don’t come along very often but when they do they’re important ones.
“Two guys picked me up and carried me over.”
Leinster legend Isa Nacewa had to leave the fray early with an ankle injury but he was delighted to see his side win back the PRO14 title.
Toner added: “He’s a special player and a special guy and he means the world to every single one of us. He’s the most selfless player you’ll ever see.”