Summary

  • Final score: Leinster 38-16 Scarlets

  • Sexton scores 18 points including one of six Leinster tries

  • Leinster will play Munster or Racing 92 in final in Bilbao on 12 May

  • Cardiff Blues beat 16-10 Pau in second-tier Challenge Cup

  • Blues will play Gloucester in final in Bilbao on Friday, 11 May

  1. 'One of our best'published at 17:24 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Leinster 38-16 Scarlets

    Here's Leinster captain Johnny Sexton: "It was one of our best performances of the season.

    "We really did learn from last year's game (Pro12 semi-final defeat to Scarlets) and maybe look back at it as a turning point.

    "We hadn't faced a semi-final defeat ever, so we learned from it and I just said to the lads if we play well we have a chance, and that's all we needed to worry about."

  2. Full-time - Leinster 38-16 Scarletspublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Leinster 38-16 Scarlets

    And that's it!

    Leinster are on their way to Bilbao. A superb performance from the Irish side.

    Racing 92 or Munster await.

  3. converted try

    Converted try - Leinster 38-14 Scarletspublished at 79 mins

    Tadhg Beirne (79 mins)

    Scarlets get it from the scrum, spin it left and then venture back the other way looking for a gap.

    It just doesn't look like there are any. Blue shirts scramble from side to side, keeping their visitors at bay.

    But eventually they do spot a route through, and Tadhg Beirne is the man to touch down.

  4. Postpublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    Dafydd James
    Former Lions and Wales back on BBC Radio Wales

    It really has been one-way traffic this afternoon with Leinster controlling the game from start to finish.

  5. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    Well, this one was over a long time ago, but Leinster are still hunting for another score.

    They're closing Scarlets down quickly 10 metres from their own line and collect the resulting quick.

    The hosts go right, but how about that... a forward pass. Relief for Scarlets.

  6. No trypublished at 74 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    But there it is.

    Scarlets can't keep their formidable hosts out for long. Scott Fardy picks up the ball from the back of the ruck and dives over a host of red bodies to ground.

    But we're going to a review. Did Fardy collect that from the side?

    No try is the verdict! At least Fardy can have a little laugh about it at this stage...

  7. Postpublished at 17:11 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Dafydd James
    Former Lions and Wales back on BBC Radio Wales

    That's real tenacity, heart and pride from Scott Williams. It was a great kick initially by Joey Carberry to Isa Nacewa and he finds Rob Kearny inside, but Scott Williams just drills him in the corner there. It was a great cover tackle to save a try.

  8. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    A final flourish from the hosts?

    Joey Carbery clips a wonderfully weighted chip into the path of the galloping Isa Nacewa, who flings it back inside to Rob Kearney.

    The full-back looks to have the momentum to take him to the line, but Scott Williams recovers with a last-ditch tackle to save another Leinster score.

  9. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    This one's just eased off a little. It's been high-impact and unrelenting for 70 minutes, but Scarlets keep the ball in hand for a spell and that brings a moment of calm among the crowd.

    No route through for the visitors though, that Leinster defence is standing strong.

  10. Postpublished at 67 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    How frustrating for the Welsh side, another ball that bounces off a red chest when it should have been caught and into the welcoming hands of the hosts.

    Leinster are enjoying this, they look to run from their own 22 and a cheeky dummy from Joey Carbery gets them moving forward.

  11. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    Good ball from the visitors, who keep it alive in the Leinster 22 and enjoy an extended spell of pressure for the first time in... well, probably for the first time today.

    They get a penalty in front of the sticks, but need more than three points right now.

    Dan Jones sticks it in the corner.

  12. Postpublished at 62 mins

    Leinster 38-9 Scarlets

    Leinster fans are starting to book their tickets to Bilbao. They're cruising here, and with just under 20 minutes to go you wouldn't bet against the hosts adding to their tally.

    Scarlets haven't shown up.

    Tadhg FurlongImage source, Getty Images
  13. converted try

    Converted try - Leinster 38-9 Scarletspublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Johnny Sexton (60 mins)

    Ferocious from Leinster, working their way towards the corner and getting bodies behind the drive of Scott Fardy.

    Devin Toner punches his way in, leaving the hosts five metres from the line. Leinster go left again, Johnny Sexton steps superbly and then drifts through a gap and over the Scarlets line.

    Wonderful finish from the fly-half. Superb from Leinster.

    Sexton adds the extras. The Irish outfit are flying.

  14. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Leinster 31-9 Scarlets

    More quick ball from a Leinster throw before Jamison Gibson-Park opts to pop a hanging kick downfield.

    Scarlets mop up, only to find the ball bobbling around beyond their own 22 again after a miscommunication.

    Rob Kearney runs hard at the heart of the Welsh region's line, but Scarlets win turnover ball.

  15. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Leinster 31-9 Scarlets

    It's getting a little sloppy from Scarlets. Not straight at the line-out, the ball back in formidable Leinster hands.

    Those travelling Welsh voices in the crowd are a little quieter than they were an hour or so ago.

    The sun's still shining in Dublin, but it looks to have gone down on their European Champions Cup hopes.

  16. Postpublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Leinster 31-9 Scarlets

    Dafydd James
    Former Lions and Wales back on BBC Radio Wales

    You have to say that is the final nail in the coffin. It's the power game paying dividends but they are varying their game. The Leinster players are getting through the first tackle, there was only one winner there.

  17. converted try

    Converted try - Leinster 31-9 Scarletspublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Scott Fardy (50 mins)

    Well, Patchell's catching practice can't keep Leinster out for long.

    The hosts just keep on powering forward, James Ryan flicks a clever offload into Scott Fardy's path and he powers over.

    Johnny Sexton maintains his 100% kicking record today with a conversion from near the posts.

    Scott Fardy scoresImage source, AFP
  18. Postpublished at 50 mins

    Leinster 24-9 Scarlets

    Great take from Rhys Patchell, plucking out of the air in his own 22 under pressure from Rob Kearney.

    But again Leinster come back at the Scarlets, Johnny Sexton firing another high kick down the throat of the visiting full-back.

    Patchell is darting from side to side catching high balls like he's playing cricket in the garden with his dad.

  19. Postpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 21 April 2018

    Leinster 24-9 Scarlets

    Dafydd James
    Former Lions and Wales back on BBC Radio Wales

    So frustrating there, just straight up and down. Things are not going Scarlets' way at the moment.