Leinster bounced back from their Champions Cup final defeat by Bordeaux-Begles last week by scoring nine tries in an emphatic 59-10 United Rugby Championship quarter-final win over the Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Dan Sheehan, Hugo Keenan, James Ryan, Scott Penny, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy and Jimmy O’Brien all crossed for the Irish province, with James Lowe, on his 100th cap, scoring twice.
The victory books Leo Cullen’s side a place against the Stormers in the second of the tournament’s semi-finals next Saturday (17:30 BST). Glasgow will host the Bulls in the other.
Both sides came out with huge intent, but it was Leinster who got on the scoreboard first, with Sheehan getting over the whitewash 10 minutes in.
A line break from Keenan edged the home side close to the try line and a final pass from Jimmy O’Brien found the Ireland hooker on the wing and he was able to ground. Sam Prendergast landed the first of seven successful conversions.
A well-executed line-out move and a series of quick hands involving Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Keenan and Prendergast eventually found O’Brien, but he was met by three Lions defenders and held up over the line.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Leinster built attacking momentum and full-back Keenan found space with ease for their second try.
The home side continued to enjoy the upper hand but were reduced to 14 when prop Thomas Clarkson was sent to the sin-bin just shy of half-time for a dangerous tackle on Nico Steyn.
Henco van Wyk capitalised on the visitors’ numerical advantage and got over from close range for Ivan van Rooyen’s side’s first try, Chris Smith’s conversion attempt hitting the post.
Leinster’s response was almost immediate as Joe McCarthy executed a monstrous carry to advance to the cusp of the Lions line.
Ryan burrowed over from close range and Prendergast’s additional points made it 21-5 at the break.
