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          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018
          LeinsterLeinsterLEI
          38
          22/04FT
          16
          ScarletsScarletsSCA
          • James Ryan(10')
          • Cian Healy(27')
          • Fergus McFadden(40')
          • Scott Fardy(50')
          • Johnny Sexton(60')
          • Johnny Sexton(11', 28', 52', 61', 41'+2)
          • Johnny Sexton(19')
          • Tadhg Beirne(79')
          • Rhys Patchell(80')
          • Leigh Halfpenny(6', 22', 34')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Leinster cruise past Scarlets and into Champions Cup final

          Fergus McFadden scored the all-important third Leinster try on the stroke of half time. Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
          • ESPN staffApr 21, 2018, 09:32 PM
          Multiple Authors
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          Leinster cantered into the Champions Cup final with a comprehensive 38-16 defeat of the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.

          The three-time European champions dominated the contest from virtually the first minute as they racked up five tries in the Dublin sunshine.

          James Ryan, Cian Healy, Fergus McFadden, Scott Fardy and Johnny Sexton all touched down for the hosts who will play either Racing 92 or Munster in Bilbao on May 12.

          Leigh Halfpenny's three first-half penalties and a late consolation try from Tadhg Beirne were all the visitors had to show for a disappointing afternoon in which their hopes of becoming Wales' first representative in a European Cup final since Cardiff in 1996 fell flat.

          It was Halfpenny and the Scarlets who struck first at the Aviva Stadium, but any hopes that the west Walians could repeat their away victory over Leinster in last season's PRO12 semifinals quickly evaporated.

          Leinster created an overlap on the right wing from an attacking scrum, and after Rhys Patchell had done well to stop McFadden the ball was recycled for Ryan to score.

          Referee Romain Poite checked with his TMO to make sure the Ireland lock -- who is yet to taste defeat as a professional -- had not committed a double movement, but happy he had not raised his arm to signal the try.

          The hosts had wind in their sails and after Halfpenny and Sexton had traded penalties, Healy crashed over from close range following good work from McFadden and Dan Leavy.

          Halfpenny's third three-pointer narrowed the Scarlets' deficit once again, but on the stroke of half time the momentum turned decisively Leinster's way.

          McFadden had been involved in both of the hosts' opening two tries and he got his name on the scoresheet as he outstripped the Scarlets defence to score in the right corner.

          The experienced wing took a knock from Steff Evans as he touched down, and was forced off at the break, but Jordan Larmour's introduction ensured that there was no let up from the team in blue.

          It was the Ireland youngster who stripped Patchell on the Scarlets 22 to set up Leinster's fourth try, which was finished off well by Fardy following another telling contribution from Ryan.

          There was still half an hour on the clock, and 10 minutes later things got even better for the hosts as Sexton stepped his way over from close range.

          It was the veteran fly-half's last contribution, and to the Scarlets' credit the visitors refused to let their heads drop.

          Ultimately, it was the PRO12 champions who had the last say as Beirne evaded a Fardy tackle to complete the scoring. It was far too little, far too late to have any bearing on the outcome though and Leinster will travel to Bilbao next month full of confidence that they can secure a fourth European Cup triumph.

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          Standings

          Pool 1
          RTeamGPPDP
          1GLA4+4920
          2STA4+9412
          3SAL4-3811
          4SAR4+1310
          5SHA4-1010
          6ASM4-1080
          Pool 2
          RTeamGPPDP
          1BAT4+9116
          2RC4+1714
          3CAS4-810
          4EDI4-7110
          5MUN4-28
          6GLO4-276
          Pool 3
          RTeamGPPDP
          1LEI4+3518
          2HAR4+9815
          3STO4-814
          4LEI4+36
          5STA4-136
          6BAY4-1150
          Pool 4
          RTeamGPPDP
          1UNI4+7620
          2NOR4+4616
          3BRI4+5014
          4BUL4-687
          5SEC4-506
          6SCA4-543
          Full Table

          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018 News

          • Champions Cup match delayed after parachutist stuck on roof

            A Champions Cup rugby game between Toulouse and Sale was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof of the Stadium de Toulouse.

          • Parachutist trapped on roof before Toulouse v Sale game

            A Champions Cup rugby game was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof.

          • Toulouse win Champions Cup in thrilling final against Leinster

            Toulouse won a record-extending sixth European Champions Cup when a Matthis Lebel try helped them beat Leinster 31-22 after extra-time on Saturday.

          • Rugby Club World Cup set to be launched in 2028 - sources

            Plans for a rugby Club World Cup where the best northern and southern hemisphere club sides will compete against each other are in the offing, sources have told ESPN, with the tournament set to launch in 2028.

          • La Rochelle edge Leinster again to win back-to-back European crowns

            La Rochelle became the fifth team to win back-to-back European Champions Cups on Saturday when they clawed back a 17-point deficit to beat Leinster 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium in another breathless final between the sides.

          • Campo's call: Koroibete can get better still, Suaalii approach sends wrong message

            Wallabies great David Campese says Marika Koroibete is yet to hit the ceiling of his rugby talents, but the man who made the gold No. 11 jersey famous is displeased by talk Rugby Australia is lining up a mega-rich offer to teen sensation Joseph Suaali'i.