Easy does it for Leinster

Leinster thrashed Llanelli Scarlets for the second time in the space of a week on Saturday, the defending champions recording an emphatic 39-7 Heinken Cup victory at the RDS.

The Irish province's victory takes them joint top with London Irish in Pool Six of the competition, with the manner in which it was taken perhaps convincing home fans that a repeat success might be on the cards.

Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Rob Kearney all scored twice in the bonus-point win with Shane Horgan adding another as Leinster dominated in all areas.

As well as showing verve in the backs, Michael Chieka's side showed plenty of hunger at the breakdown, invariably turning over the Scarlets on the rare occasions they pressed forward.

The visitors gained a consolation effort through Rhys Priestland late in the game but had no answer to opponents who have run up a total of 71 points against them across two weekends.

Leinster's first try came in the eighth minute when Kearney crossed in the left-hand corner, although Shaun Berne could not convert - his performance on Saturday as a replacement for the injured Jonathan Sexton the only real letdown for the home side.

Stephen Jones then had the chance to pull his side back with penalties in the 11th and 13th minutes but could not convert.

Leinster looked to capitalise and doubled the scoreline just past the midway point of the opening period when Berne's crossfield kick found Horgan.

The big winger timed his run perfectly and his offload set up Kearney again, who withstood two Scarlets challenges to cross - the try confirmed by the video referee.

Fluent

Berne completely topped his conversion attempt but it made little difference as the home side continued to press with some fluent attacking rugby.

Llanelli pressed as the first half drew to a close and Jones signalled their intent to drag themselves back by kicking a penalty to the corner.

However, their pressure resulted instead in Leinster's third try as Horgan intercepted Deacon Manu's pass and sprinted just about the full length of the pitch.

Again Berne missed the extras but, with the wind behind them, Leinster started the second period in much the same vein.

Setting up camp inside the Scarlets' 22, Kearney came closest to touching down but despite recycling more than 20 phases, the visiting defence held out.

Still, there was a sense of inevitability when D'Arcy picked up the ball with his back to the line and jinked his way over for the bonus-point try in the 46th minute, with Berne converting at last.

The result was already secure and started to turn into a rout when O'Driscoll muscled his way over in the left hand corner before the hour, with Berne missing the conversion.

Downside

He found the target when D'Arcy crossed once more in the 59th minute before the downside of Kearney's confidence revealed itself as he failed to deal with the bounce of Priestland's chip, his fellow full-back running on and through to score.

Jones converted, unlike Berne who missed again after O'Driscoll scored his second with eight minutes remaining.

The Scarlets' evening was summed up in the closing minutes when they were unable to score a second try having gained a penalty close to Leinster's line, their pack's efforts coming to nought as the ball was turned over once more.