Fardy's Leinster complete Europe-Pro 14 double

Sat, May 26, 2018, 10:18 PM
AFP
by AFP
Johnny Sexton helped seal Leinster's win. Photo: Getty Images
Johnny Sexton helped seal Leinster's win. Photo: Getty Images

Leinster completed a domestic and European double with a 40-32 victory over Scarlets in the Pro 14 final at Dublin's Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Victory saw the Irish province, beaten in last season's final by the Scarlets, add the Pro 14 title to the European Champions Cup crown they won by defeating Paris club Racing 92 15-12 in Bilbao a fortnight ago.

The Dublin-based province's latest trophy also capped a superb season on the field for rugby union in the 'Emerald Isle' following Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam triumph.

Leinster were 40-11 up heading into the closing stages, with tries from Devin Toner, James Lowe, Sean Cronin, Jordan Larmour and Jack Conan, as well as 13 points from the boot of Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton, the man-of-the-match, all but putting them out of sight.

Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl collected a hat-trick of tries and two late scores saw the Welsh regional side reduce the margin of defeat to single figures.

But the damage had long been done as Leinster gained revenge for last season's Pro 14 final loss to the Scarlets in fine style.

RESULT

Leinster 40

Tries: Toner, Lowe, Cronin, Larmour, Conan

Cons: Sexton 2, Carbery

Pens: Sexton 3

Scarlets 32

Tries: McNicholl 3, Kruger

Cons: Halfpenny 2, Jones

Pens: Halfpenny 2 

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