STROLL IN THE SUN FOR BLUES
Leinster get revenge for ‘semi’ defeat with easy win over Scarlets
LEINSTER have taken plenty of big scalps on their European odyssey this year, but none will have tasted as sweet as this dominant defeat of Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets.
This was a victory that was forged in the Pro12 semi-final loss to the same opposition last season, an embarrassment on home turf against 14 men that has informed much of Leinster’s excellence over the course of this campaign.
The way they burst from the traps under the sunshine in Dublin 4 was a reminder of just how much that defeat had stung Leo Cullen’s men – this was months of frustration unleashed in a fury of huge collisions and determined running in a manic opening period.
The pressure that Leinster managed to put on Scarlets’ ball was incredible, with a swarm of Blue jerseys descending on any man who found himself in possession.
At the heart of it all was Robbie Henshaw, who didn’t waste any time in putting his surgeon’s work to the test after staging a remarkable recovery from a dislocated shoulder, throwing himself at anything and everything that came his way.
So too was James Ryan, whose incredible rise continues to astound. The 21-year-old had yet to make his senior bow for the province this time last season, and while Scarlets lock Tadhg Beirne had been the talk of the town in the build-up to this game, it was Ryan who bossed things ahead of the former Leinster man.
Still, it was the visitors who struck first after Scott Fardy coughed up a needless penalty for a high tackle, Leigh Halfpenny comfortably taking the three points on offer.
However, the next few minutes set the tone for the evening.
Leinster applied huge pressure on Scarlets ball at the back of a ruck, Fardy extending his large frame to block down a Gareth Davies kick before Jamison Gibson-Park hared in to ankle tap the scrumhalf.
Moments later the Blues got a first run at the Scarlets, Fergus McFadden racing along the wing before being dragged down a few yards shy of the tryline. The ball was quickly recycled and Ryan crashed over with the help of a determined supporting cast. Captain Johnny Sexton stepped up to add the extra two points, and Leinster had gained a lead they would refuse to surrender. The province were keen to put the Scarlets in their box early and kept their foot on the gas, and after some patient approach play they added a second try, working their way along the tryline before Cian Healy found a gap and muscled over. It was half an hour before the Scarlets got a first real sniff at the Leinster line, and while they tried mix up their approach in order find a way through they were sent packing on every occasion, with former Wallaby Fardy providing some extra brute force in the Leinster back row.
Halfpenny eventually took three points from the tee, but failing to plunder for more showed the key difference between the sides.
While Scarlets arrived in Dublin labelled as high-flying entertainers, Leinster used this occasion to again display why they feel this is their trophy to win.
Cullen and senior coach Stuart Lancaster have learned from last year’s failings and have built a team that are happy to beat the opposition any way they want to play it.
As such, it was Leinster who went back up the field and hammered home their intent, this time McFadden racing over in the corner after a wonderful skip pass from Garry Ringrose. As the mercury tipped 19 degrees, Sexton shielded the sun from his eyes before nailing the conversion from the white of the sideline on the East Stand side.
The Blues retired for half-time with three tries under their collective belt and a healthy 15 point advantage. Cullen must have been just short of handing out 99s in the dressing room.
The remaining 40 minutes was just short of a procession for the home team, with Leinster tacking on a further 14 points.
They mixed the ugly with the sublime, and for every thundering Tadhg Furlong carry here there was a gazelle-like step from Jordan Larmour, hopping between red bodies after replacing the injured McFadden.
He failed to find an opening with his darting runs, so instead the province regathered and took a more direct route, Ryan drawing in two players before sending Fardy over for try number four.
Sexton converted and soon bagged a try of his own, adding the extra two points before being replaced by Joey Carbery with 20 minutes left to play.
His work was done, the result long beyond doubt, although Beirne did swoop for a late consolation try.
Whoever comes out on top between Munster and Racing today, it is clear that having more than one gameplan will be key in preventing this Leinster side from taking the top prize in European rugby. Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden (J Larmour 23), G Ringrose, R Henshaw, I Nacewa; J Sexton (capt) (J Carbery 62), J Gibson-Park (N McCarthy 72); C Healy (J McGrath 54), S Cronin (J Tracy 58), T Furlong (A Porter 62), D Toner, J Ryan (R Molony 71), S Fardy, D Leavy (J Conan 67), J Murphy. scorers - tries: Ryan, Healy, McFadden, Fardy, Sexton; Pen: Sexton; cons: Sexton (5). scarLets: R Patchell; L Halfpenny, S Williams (S Hughes 75), H Parkes, S Evans (D Evans 75); D Jones, G Davies (A Davies 71), R Evans, K Owens (capt) (R Elias 53), S Lee (W Kruger 53), T Beirne, D Bulbring (L Rawlins 55), A Shingler (S Cummins 67), J Davies, J Barclay (W Boyde 71). scorers - try: Beirne; Pens: Halfpenny (3); con: Halfpenny. referee: R Poite (France).