Leinster 40-32 Scarlets: Irish province fly to fifth domestic title
Last Updated: 27/05/18 1:32pm
Leinster secured the Guinness PRO14 title with a 40-32 victory over Scarlets and became the first side to win both the PRO14 and Champions Cup competitions in the same season.
The Irish province take the domestic spoils for the fifth time in their history and notched up five tries to Scarlets' four on the day.
Leo Cullen's men led 21-11 at the interval as scores from Devin Toner and James Lowe combined with the boot of Johnny Sexton.
They surged out to a 40-18 lead with 10 minutes to go before Scarlets finished with a late flurry.
Leinster dominated the early possession and scored their first points after just six minutes through the boot of Sexton.
Scarlets immediately struck back via their British and Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny from in front of the posts.
A long-range strike from the Welshman doubled Scarlets' tally on 12 minutes before Sexton once again levelled proceedings.
Isa Nacewa, playing in his 185th and final game for the Irish province, was forced to cut his last appearance short due to injury when he was replaced after just 18 minutes by Rory O'Loughlin.
Sexton's third penalty of the first half, after Scarlets strayed offside, deflected off the posts but went over.
The hard-carrying of Leinster's forwards, despite it being the end of a gruelling season, was evident throughout with Tadhg Furlong and Cian Healy being two of the men leading the charge.
Healy came close to delivering their first try of the game before Devin Toner's reach and power secured five points after 30 minutes. Sexton's conversion missed the target.
Scarlets, sensing their need to respond at 14-6 down, did just that and showed their quick handling and offloads put McNicholl away for his first of three tries.
Halfpenny's radar was also off on this occasion and the wind looked to be in the Welsh region's sails until an injury to Aaron Shingler.
Shingler, a key part of Wales' plans this summer, was forced from the field with what looked to be a nasty-looking knee injury and that will need to be assessed further.
Sexton's high balls forwards had been causing Scarlets issues for the bulk of the half and a Halfpenny error set the Irish province's final platform to score before the break.
Twice Leinster went to the corner and drove forwards and, on the second driving maul, Luke McGrath whipped the ball out before Sexton's electric hands found Lowe.
The try poised the encounter at 21-11 with 40 minutes left to play and Leo Cullen's outfit flew out of the traps after the interval.
A high tackle on Sexton focused his mind and after a textbook kick to the corner Sean Cronin powered over from close range.
Jordan Larmour's range of skills were shown in their full glory for Leinster's next try as he chipped forwards and scooped the ball off his bootlaces with ease on the hour.
McNicholl's sublime acrobatic finish proceeded Jack Conan's five-pointer and showcased the heart of the battling Welsh region.
Werner Kruger bludgeoned his way over from close range with a minute to play and McNicholl's hat-trick score had the final say on the board.
However, when the referee blew the full-time whistle Irish eyes were smiling as Leinster capped an outstanding season by securing the domestic and European double and creating new rugby history in the process.
