History has been made in the final of the Guinness PRO14, as Leinster have become the first side in the history of the competition to win the League and European Champions Cup in the same season.
They saw off Scarlets 40-32 in an open and entertaining encounter at the Aviva Stadium.
The game was also the last in a blue jersey for Isa Nacewa, who's final only lasted 22 minutes due to injury, while Jordi Murphy who came on as a sub, is off to join Ulster next season.
Leinster!!! GuinnessPRO14 CHAMPIONS 👏👏🏆 pic.twitter.com/pT2hzjJVYh
— FM104 (@FM104) May 26, 2018
The game was nip and tuck for the most part, thr opening 20 minutes saw an exchange of penalty kicks between Johnny Sexton and Leigh Halfpenny.
The first try of the game arriving on the half hour mark, a burst from Tadhg Furlong up to the five meter, eventually Devin Toner would dive in.
Not phased by that, just like with the place kicking, the Champions responded straight away and four minutes later had Johnny McNicholl go over, though just like with Leinster’s try, the conversion from Halfpenny was pulled wide.
But right on the blow of half time, Leinster took a 10 point safety cushion into the break, with James Lowe going over in the corner, converted by Sexton.
Let the celebrations begin... again! 🏆🏆👌#LEIvSCA #DestinationDoublin pic.twitter.com/qgwD49pGlp
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 26, 2018
The second half was just as open as the first, Sean Cronin on 51 hanging onto the back of a rolling maul, which kept rolling to the five before Cronin peeled off and got in low for the score, Sextons conversion was pin point.
Since scoring aginst Munster on Stephens Day, we rarely saw the brilliance that led to Jordan Larmour scoring in Thomond Park, until the 59th minute, an incredible score - a loose ball had fallen behind Scarlets, and he got just enough contact from boot to ball, Larmour then sprinted and took an incredible scoop and kept going - there was no joy for Sexton with the extra two.
Scarlets scored moments later, with McNicholl again, this time in the corner and it was great work to avoid a Garry Ringrose tackle, have enough hangtime in the air, while dotting the ball on the whitewash.
Leinster's last score of the game came from Jack Conan and with the final play of the game Scarlets had McNicholl completing a hatrick.
An incredibly entertaining game of Rugby, leaving one wonder what might have been, if Scarlets found a scoring touch earlier then they did.
Congratulations Leinster!
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) May 26, 2018
