How’re we doing, everyone? Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Leinster’s URC quarter-final with Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.
Gavan Casey with you here — slightly later ‘hello’ than usual from me, but I was just lashing together a quick report on the Bulls’ 42-33 victory over Edinburgh in the second quarter-final.
The winner of Leinster-Scarlets already know they’ll face Glasgow next Saturday.
Kick-off in Dublin is in 20 minutes’ time.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Sounds like there won’t be any late changes at the Aviva.
For Leinster, Garry Ringrose misses out with a minor calf injury and Tommy O’Brien is nursing a knock to his foot.
With Robbie Henshaw out for the rest of the season, Jamie Osborne partners Jordie Barrett in midfield, while Jimmy O’Brien makes his 100th Leinster appearance on the right wing.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (Captain).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley.
Jordie Barrett arrives at the Aviva. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets have found form at just the right time, sneaking into the play-offs after impressive wins in the last couple of months — including one over a different-looking Leinster outfit in Llanelli.
The Welsh region have a youthful side, particularly in the backline, where Johnny Williams is the elder statesman at just 28.
Fullback Blair Murray will be among their dangermen from fullback, while the likes of Vaea Fifita and Taine Plumtree will hope to make their presence felt up front.
Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee, Sam Costelow, Arhie Hughes, Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (Captain), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Page
Leinster's Jack Conan, referee Hollie Davidson and Scarlets' Josh Macleod during the coin toss. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson is the woman in the middle for today’s encounter.
Scarlets are just one of two teams to have beaten Leinster so far in the URC this season — and one of just three in all competitions.
Today marks their first play-off appearance in seven years.
“We have worked hard to get to the play-offs,” said head coach Dwayne Peel a couple of days ago. “Now we have to embrace it, we have to make the most of it now we’re here.
“There is no greater task in club rugby than going to Dublin, but we’re looking forward to it. We won’t shy away from it. We are confident in our own ability and we know we are going to have to be at our very, very best.
“It’s going to be a great occasion, it will be a new experience for a lot of our boys. We’re going to have to be brave, we’re going to have to be accurate and we’re going to have to try and put our stamp on our game, play the Scarlets way.”
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
31 May
3:00PM
The crowd at the Aviva is very sparse — it looks more than small enough to have fit into the old RDS, for context. A media colleague just suggested it feels like a Covid game.
Look, it’s a bank holiday weekend and there has been a lot of home knockout rugby for Leinster fans of late. Plus, the lack of perceived jeopardy is a considerable factor. The game was always going to prove a tough sell.
It shouldn’t really matter — other than it won’t feel like a particularly hostile environment for Scarlets. If anything — and I mean this with no disrespect — it feels a bit like one of their home games.
His kick started it all, and he finishes it just in from the left-hand corner.
Leinster create a mismatch in numbers as they swing left and Hugo Keenan’s pass is deflected — forward by Sam Costelow — into Lowe’s bread basket.
He waltzes over for the score. Sam Prendergast pushes his conversion wide right, but Leinster lead 5-0 from their first visit to the Scarlets’ 22.
31 May
3:09PM
8′ – LEIN 5-0 SCA: Scarlets’ first possession ends in the concession of a penalty as Fifita, I think, went off his feet.
They wind up stealing the ball from an overthrown Leinster lineout and Blair Murray looks to counter from deep, but the men in red knock it on in contact and Gibson-Park chips and chases to win a lineout down the Welsh end.
Jack Conan picks a nice line off a Lowe pass and tees up his scrum-half for the walk-in score under the posts.
Prendergast chips over and Leinster lead by 12.
That was too easy, and Scarlets are in deep trouble here early on. Leinster not messing around!
31 May
3:13PM
11′ – LEIN 12-0 SCA: Tom Clarkson as a single-man lifter and Ryan Baird combine to steal a Scarlets lineout near halfway.
The visitors are pinged for offside and Prendergast drills Leinster up towards the Scarlets’ 5′ with a wonderful line-kick from the penalty.
Lineout, however, is overthrown again. Frustrating miss for the hosts. Archie Hughes bangs it out just beyond the 22′.
31 May
3:19PM
16′ – LEIN 12-0 SCA: Official attendance is 12,879.
Again, loads of factors, but there’s no denying that’s a bit disappointing — both for Leinster and for the competition.
Glasgow’s return to form last night might summon a few more next week provided Leinster finish the job here.
Spoiler alert: they will finish this job. They’re in cruise control here against a far less seasoned, less explosive side than Northampton Saints a few weeks ago.
20′ – TRY FOR SCARLETS! Ah, that’s a great team score, finished off by Tom Rogers in the left-hand corner!
Leinster were in complete control but off a lineout, Scarlets sweep left. Lovely, soft hands by Costelow — who later converts from the tee — and Rogers bulldozes his way over with Leinster’s defence a bit late to the party.
It makes things more interesting than they were at the very least. Credit to Scarlets who’d had so little joy in the opening 19 minutes.
31 May
3:28PM
25′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Yes, I know I had basically just dismissed Scarlets’ chances of winning this game seconds before their try.
I still would! But they were momentarily buoyed by that score, for sure.
Slightly sloppy period for Leinster in the three minutes afterwards with a poor drop by Baird in midfield.
But — Johnny Williams is pinged for taking out Jordie Barrett off the ball and Sam Prendergast kicks to touch from halfway, taking Leinster up as far as the Scarlets’ 22′.
31 May
3:29PM
27′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Loose offload by Osborne and Scarlets clear towards halfway through Costelow.
31 May
3:32PM
28′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Scarlets are scrambling really well since Leinster’s second try, to be fair.
Wonderful crossfield kick by Osborne there to the spare man in Jimmy O’Brien, but he’s chased down by Ellis Mee and the ball eventually breaks to Scarlets’ side.
They win a pen as Leinster go off their feet.
A bit helter-skelter over the last five minutes or so. Leinster could do with exerting a bit more control and looking to outmuscle the Scarlets up front.
31 May
3:35PM
30′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Leinster still forcing things a bit. Jordie Barrett screws a crossfielder off his right boot straight into touch inside his own half.
Scarlets lineout outside the Leinster 22′ but the hosts win it back on the ground through Kelleher.
Lowe is inches away from a 50-22′ as he drives another one down the left edge. Scarlets ball, though, and they clear through Hughes.
Taken well by Lowe and Leinster will look to build again from halfway.
31 May
3:37PM
32′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Big carry by Big Joe McCarthy but after Leinster look to go wide right, Scarlets win a jackal penalty. Big celebrations by the Welsh region.
Costelow bangs them into the Leinster half but they lose the lineout on a poor overthrow by Elias. Andrew Porter was sharp to that loose ball!
31 May
3:38PM
35′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Josh McCleod is pinged for offside on halfway — and Leinster are going to kick for three.
Right decision. Knockout rugby, Scarlets enjoying the battle. See if you can stretch the lead out to two scores.
35′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: Prendergast wallops it over with room to spare. Great kick.
Leinster lead by eight. Little bit of breathing room.
31 May
3:42PM
37′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: James Ryan is pinged at the maul near halfway and Costelow boots Scarlets into Leinster’s 22′.
Leinster, though, immediately win a penalty as Scarlets go off their feet trying to protect their ball.
Prendergast misses touch but Leinster wind up with a scrum as Rogers knocks on from a bouncing high ball.
Scrappy passage from both sides.
31 May
3:45PM
39′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: Lowe’s exit goes out on the full from just outside his own 22′.
Scarlets get a late chance in the half but they make a bags of it with a disconnect in their backs.
Baird makes a big carry and Scarlets are pinged. Gibson-Park goes quickly! But Leinster then make a hames of their own attack as Prendergast doesn’t see a pass coming. And Scarlets fly-hack downfield!
Ellis Mee fly-hacks from Leinster’s looseness deep in the Welsh 22′! He kicks again up near halfway with Blair Murray just behind him! Jordie Barrett gives chase but Murray kicks ahead one last time and dots the ball down! Try from nothing!
Incredible.
Costelow converts the easy extras, and Scarlets have narrowed the deficit to a single point at the break.
41′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: Sam Prendergast gets us back underway.
Leinster lead by a point. The heavens have opened at the Aviva. It might suit them? A narrower, more forward-oriented game will surely swing Leinster’s way given the difference between the two packs.
But who knows? I really didn’t give Scarlets a prayer earlier and they’ve fought right back into this one.
31 May
4:02PM
44′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: The sun is out now, ha! The ball will still be greasy from the wet grass, but the conditions in general have immediately eased.
Will hopefully make for a better game than the alternative, anyway.
31 May
4:03PM
45′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: Good pressure from James Ryan on a Scarlets lineout on their own 22′. Not straight and Leinster win a free-kick, from which they’ll opt for the scrum.
45′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JAMIE OSBORNE OFF FIRST PHASE!
Beautiful chip over the middle by Sam Prendergast and Osborne dives on the ball under the posts. The try is awarded after a check on the grounding.
Easy conversion for Prendergast and Leinster’s lead is back out to eight!
31 May
4:06PM
47′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: RG Snyman and Dan Sheehan on for Rónan Kelleher and James Ryan, the latter of whom was important in the conception of that last try.
Leinster bringing on some heft to try to kick for home.
31 May
4:08PM
48′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Both Sheehan and Osborne are pinged for going off their feet and Scarlets win a penalty just outside the Leinster 10′.
They’ll try to kick the three here and bring the gap back to a single score again.
But Costelow pushes his effort wide right!
Leinster’s lead stays at eight.
31 May
4:11PM
52′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Leinster going to the air a lot in the second half. Their wide attack hasn’t been particularly on point when they’ve tried to get it in gear. Some overthrown passes, and most attempts resulting in Lowe kicking, eh, low, down the left edge.
31 May
4:14PM
55′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Aside from Osborne’s early try, the second half has amounted to kick-tennis.
Leinster putting pressure on Scarlets but Blair Murray getting great purchase off his exits.
57′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Chance for Leinster on the Scarlets’ 5′. Will update on the yellow afterwards!
31 May
4:18PM
57′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: So: a huge carry by Dan Sheehan down the right. Leinster go wide left and piece together a nice move. Lowe is stopped about five from the line. Hepburn interferes at the breakdown despite repeated warnings and gets a yellow.
Leinster then blast away at the Scarlets after going for the corner — but they can’t get over. Their hands let them down as they swing right and Scarlets eventually win the scrum as a ball pops forward.
Poor by Leinster in those most recent phases. Unreal scramble D by Scarlets again.
Sheehan — immense since he’s come on — charges down Archie Hughes’ attempted box-kick. He wins the loose ball and Leinster reload left.
Barrett takes contact and releases the charging Keenan on a nice line. The fullback crashes over!
Prendergast misses a fairly straightforward conversion which would have pushed Leinster’s lead out to three scores. Instead, they’re up 13 as we enter the final quarter.
31 May
4:26PM
64′ – LEIN 27-14 SCA: Leinster win a pen in the Scarlets’ 22. Three points would all but seal it but it’s a wide angle and Prendergast has had a poor enough day off the tee, so he goes to the corner.
A try here will kill off the Scarlets, who have defended bravely but haven’t really been able to escape their own territory so far in the second half.
31 May
4:27PM
65′ – LEIN 27-14 SCA: Leinster win a pen advantage as Plumtree is offside on his own 5′. Leinster will take the gimme three points here — and you Leinster fans at home can start to breathe easy, I reckon.
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Leinster v Scarlets, URC quarter-final
How’re we doing, everyone? Welcome to The 42′s live coverage of Leinster’s URC quarter-final with Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.
Gavan Casey with you here — slightly later ‘hello’ than usual from me, but I was just lashing together a quick report on the Bulls’ 42-33 victory over Edinburgh in the second quarter-final.
The winner of Leinster-Scarlets already know they’ll face Glasgow next Saturday.
Kick-off in Dublin is in 20 minutes’ time.
Sounds like there won’t be any late changes at the Aviva.
For Leinster, Garry Ringrose misses out with a minor calf injury and Tommy O’Brien is nursing a knock to his foot.
With Robbie Henshaw out for the rest of the season, Jamie Osborne partners Jordie Barrett in midfield, while Jimmy O’Brien makes his 100th Leinster appearance on the right wing.
Leinster: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (Captain).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Scott Penny, Luke McGrath, Ciarán Frawley.
Dwayne Peel’s Scarlets have found form at just the right time, sneaking into the play-offs after impressive wins in the last couple of months — including one over a different-looking Leinster outfit in Llanelli.
The Welsh region have a youthful side, particularly in the backline, where Johnny Williams is the elder statesman at just 28.
Fullback Blair Murray will be among their dangermen from fullback, while the likes of Vaea Fifita and Taine Plumtree will hope to make their presence felt up front.
Scarlets: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee, Sam Costelow, Arhie Hughes, Alec Hepburn, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (Captain), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Efan Jones, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Page
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson is the woman in the middle for today’s encounter.
Scarlets are just one of two teams to have beaten Leinster so far in the URC this season — and one of just three in all competitions.
Today marks their first play-off appearance in seven years.
“We have worked hard to get to the play-offs,” said head coach Dwayne Peel a couple of days ago. “Now we have to embrace it, we have to make the most of it now we’re here.
“There is no greater task in club rugby than going to Dublin, but we’re looking forward to it. We won’t shy away from it. We are confident in our own ability and we know we are going to have to be at our very, very best.
“It’s going to be a great occasion, it will be a new experience for a lot of our boys. We’re going to have to be brave, we’re going to have to be accurate and we’re going to have to try and put our stamp on our game, play the Scarlets way.”
The crowd at the Aviva is very sparse — it looks more than small enough to have fit into the old RDS, for context. A media colleague just suggested it feels like a Covid game.
Look, it’s a bank holiday weekend and there has been a lot of home knockout rugby for Leinster fans of late. Plus, the lack of perceived jeopardy is a considerable factor. The game was always going to prove a tough sell.
It shouldn’t really matter — other than it won’t feel like a particularly hostile environment for Scarlets. If anything — and I mean this with no disrespect — it feels a bit like one of their home games.
1′ – LEIN 0-0 SCA: Hollie Davidson sounds her whistle for the first time and Sam Costelow gets us underway at Lansdowne Road with a deep kick-off.
2′ – LEIN 0-0 SCA: James Lowe drives one downfield, just about into the Scarlets’ in-goal area, and scrum-half Archie Hughes skews his kick to touch.
Leinster lineout on the Welsh 22′: they work the phases up to the 5′ with the help of a strong carry by Rónan Kelleher.
First big chance for the hosts, here — and there’s a try coming!
3′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! James Lowe!
His kick started it all, and he finishes it just in from the left-hand corner.
Leinster create a mismatch in numbers as they swing left and Hugo Keenan’s pass is deflected — forward by Sam Costelow — into Lowe’s bread basket.
He waltzes over for the score. Sam Prendergast pushes his conversion wide right, but Leinster lead 5-0 from their first visit to the Scarlets’ 22.
8′ – LEIN 5-0 SCA: Scarlets’ first possession ends in the concession of a penalty as Fifita, I think, went off his feet.
They wind up stealing the ball from an overthrown Leinster lineout and Blair Murray looks to counter from deep, but the men in red knock it on in contact and Gibson-Park chips and chases to win a lineout down the Welsh end.
Leinster ball on the Scarlets’ 22.
9′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! Gibson-Park!
Jack Conan picks a nice line off a Lowe pass and tees up his scrum-half for the walk-in score under the posts.
Prendergast chips over and Leinster lead by 12.
That was too easy, and Scarlets are in deep trouble here early on. Leinster not messing around!
11′ – LEIN 12-0 SCA: Tom Clarkson as a single-man lifter and Ryan Baird combine to steal a Scarlets lineout near halfway.
The visitors are pinged for offside and Prendergast drills Leinster up towards the Scarlets’ 5′ with a wonderful line-kick from the penalty.
Lineout, however, is overthrown again. Frustrating miss for the hosts. Archie Hughes bangs it out just beyond the 22′.
16′ – LEIN 12-0 SCA: Official attendance is 12,879.
Again, loads of factors, but there’s no denying that’s a bit disappointing — both for Leinster and for the competition.
Glasgow’s return to form last night might summon a few more next week provided Leinster finish the job here.
Spoiler alert: they will finish this job. They’re in cruise control here against a far less seasoned, less explosive side than Northampton Saints a few weeks ago.
20′ – TRY FOR SCARLETS! Ah, that’s a great team score, finished off by Tom Rogers in the left-hand corner!
Leinster were in complete control but off a lineout, Scarlets sweep left. Lovely, soft hands by Costelow — who later converts from the tee — and Rogers bulldozes his way over with Leinster’s defence a bit late to the party.
It makes things more interesting than they were at the very least. Credit to Scarlets who’d had so little joy in the opening 19 minutes.
25′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Yes, I know I had basically just dismissed Scarlets’ chances of winning this game seconds before their try.
I still would! But they were momentarily buoyed by that score, for sure.
Slightly sloppy period for Leinster in the three minutes afterwards with a poor drop by Baird in midfield.
But — Johnny Williams is pinged for taking out Jordie Barrett off the ball and Sam Prendergast kicks to touch from halfway, taking Leinster up as far as the Scarlets’ 22′.
27′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Loose offload by Osborne and Scarlets clear towards halfway through Costelow.
28′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Scarlets are scrambling really well since Leinster’s second try, to be fair.
Wonderful crossfield kick by Osborne there to the spare man in Jimmy O’Brien, but he’s chased down by Ellis Mee and the ball eventually breaks to Scarlets’ side.
They win a pen as Leinster go off their feet.
A bit helter-skelter over the last five minutes or so. Leinster could do with exerting a bit more control and looking to outmuscle the Scarlets up front.
30′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Leinster still forcing things a bit. Jordie Barrett screws a crossfielder off his right boot straight into touch inside his own half.
Scarlets lineout outside the Leinster 22′ but the hosts win it back on the ground through Kelleher.
Lowe is inches away from a 50-22′ as he drives another one down the left edge. Scarlets ball, though, and they clear through Hughes.
Taken well by Lowe and Leinster will look to build again from halfway.
32′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Big carry by Big Joe McCarthy but after Leinster look to go wide right, Scarlets win a jackal penalty. Big celebrations by the Welsh region.
Costelow bangs them into the Leinster half but they lose the lineout on a poor overthrow by Elias. Andrew Porter was sharp to that loose ball!
35′ – LEIN 12-7 SCA: Josh McCleod is pinged for offside on halfway — and Leinster are going to kick for three.
Right decision. Knockout rugby, Scarlets enjoying the battle. See if you can stretch the lead out to two scores.
35′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: Prendergast wallops it over with room to spare. Great kick.
Leinster lead by eight. Little bit of breathing room.
37′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: James Ryan is pinged at the maul near halfway and Costelow boots Scarlets into Leinster’s 22′.
Leinster, though, immediately win a penalty as Scarlets go off their feet trying to protect their ball.
Prendergast misses touch but Leinster wind up with a scrum as Rogers knocks on from a bouncing high ball.
Scrappy passage from both sides.
39′ – LEIN 15-7 SCA: Lowe’s exit goes out on the full from just outside his own 22′.
Scarlets get a late chance in the half but they make a bags of it with a disconnect in their backs.
Baird makes a big carry and Scarlets are pinged. Gibson-Park goes quickly! But Leinster then make a hames of their own attack as Prendergast doesn’t see a pass coming. And Scarlets fly-hack downfield!
40′ – TRY FOR SCARLETS! OH MY DAYS! BLAIR MURRAY!
Ellis Mee fly-hacks from Leinster’s looseness deep in the Welsh 22′! He kicks again up near halfway with Blair Murray just behind him! Jordie Barrett gives chase but Murray kicks ahead one last time and dots the ball down! Try from nothing!
Incredible.
Costelow converts the easy extras, and Scarlets have narrowed the deficit to a single point at the break.
Wow!
Two tries apiece — but that last Scarlets’ score was nuts.
They basically fly-hacked the ball the length of the field when it looked more likely that Leinster would score seconds earlier.
We appear to have a game on our hands, here.
41′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: Sam Prendergast gets us back underway.
Leinster lead by a point. The heavens have opened at the Aviva. It might suit them? A narrower, more forward-oriented game will surely swing Leinster’s way given the difference between the two packs.
But who knows? I really didn’t give Scarlets a prayer earlier and they’ve fought right back into this one.
44′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: The sun is out now, ha! The ball will still be greasy from the wet grass, but the conditions in general have immediately eased.
Will hopefully make for a better game than the alternative, anyway.
45′ – LEIN 15-14 SCA: Good pressure from James Ryan on a Scarlets lineout on their own 22′. Not straight and Leinster win a free-kick, from which they’ll opt for the scrum.
Excellent attacking platform here!
45′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! JAMIE OSBORNE OFF FIRST PHASE!
Beautiful chip over the middle by Sam Prendergast and Osborne dives on the ball under the posts. The try is awarded after a check on the grounding.
Easy conversion for Prendergast and Leinster’s lead is back out to eight!
47′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: RG Snyman and Dan Sheehan on for Rónan Kelleher and James Ryan, the latter of whom was important in the conception of that last try.
Leinster bringing on some heft to try to kick for home.
48′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Both Sheehan and Osborne are pinged for going off their feet and Scarlets win a penalty just outside the Leinster 10′.
They’ll try to kick the three here and bring the gap back to a single score again.
But Costelow pushes his effort wide right!
Leinster’s lead stays at eight.
52′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Leinster going to the air a lot in the second half. Their wide attack hasn’t been particularly on point when they’ve tried to get it in gear. Some overthrown passes, and most attempts resulting in Lowe kicking, eh, low, down the left edge.
55′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Aside from Osborne’s early try, the second half has amounted to kick-tennis.
Leinster putting pressure on Scarlets but Blair Murray getting great purchase off his exits.
57′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: Chance for Leinster on the Scarlets’ 5′. Will update on the yellow afterwards!
57′ – LEIN 22-14 SCA: So: a huge carry by Dan Sheehan down the right. Leinster go wide left and piece together a nice move. Lowe is stopped about five from the line. Hepburn interferes at the breakdown despite repeated warnings and gets a yellow.
Leinster then blast away at the Scarlets after going for the corner — but they can’t get over. Their hands let them down as they swing right and Scarlets eventually win the scrum as a ball pops forward.
Poor by Leinster in those most recent phases. Unreal scramble D by Scarlets again.
59′ – TRY FOR LEINSTER! HUGO KEENAN!
Sheehan — immense since he’s come on — charges down Archie Hughes’ attempted box-kick. He wins the loose ball and Leinster reload left.
Barrett takes contact and releases the charging Keenan on a nice line. The fullback crashes over!
Prendergast misses a fairly straightforward conversion which would have pushed Leinster’s lead out to three scores. Instead, they’re up 13 as we enter the final quarter.
64′ – LEIN 27-14 SCA: Leinster win a pen in the Scarlets’ 22. Three points would all but seal it but it’s a wide angle and Prendergast has had a poor enough day off the tee, so he goes to the corner.
A try here will kill off the Scarlets, who have defended bravely but haven’t really been able to escape their own territory so far in the second half.
65′ – LEIN 27-14 SCA: Leinster win a pen advantage as Plumtree is offside on his own 5′. Leinster will take the gimme three points here — and you Leinster fans at home can start to breathe easy, I reckon.
66′ – LEIN 30-14 SCA: Prendergast slots the kick from in front of the posts and Leinster lead by 16!
It’s not been pretty, but they’re on their way to a semi-final meeting with Glasgow next Saturday.
71′ – TRY FOR SCARLETS! It’s another superb team score by the Welshmen, finished off by Johnny Williams.
They really are a joy to watch when they find a yard of space.
Great hands, about 10 players involved, and a disconnect between James Lowe and Scott Penny creates a dog-leg which Scarlets expose.
Easy conversion and Scarlets have a glimmer of hope with eight minutes to go.
Would still more than fancy Leinster to close this out and, to be honest, probably score again as the game loosens up.
73′ – LEIN 30-21 SCA: Vaea Fifita is yellow-carded for a high shot on Hugo Keenan.
Penalty Leinster just outside the Scarlets’ 22′.
Fifita could have gotten lower, certainly. Hollie Davidson not sure there was flush contact with Keenan’s head so downgrades the degree of danger.
74′ – LEIN 33-21 SCA: Prendergast chips over the easy three points and Leinster’s lead is out to 12 with just over six minutes to go.
78′ – LEIN 33-21 SCA: Scarlets out of time now, really, and they’re caught for a forward pass from a lineout on the Leinster 22′.
Just under 90 seconds to go. Leinster scrum.
It’s not been great, but quarter-finals are for winning.
Leinster book a semi-final with Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva next Saturday.
Thanks for joining us for live updates of that one.
I’m off to liveblog Sharks-Munster now. Catch you over there if you’re looking.
Ciarán Kennedy will have a full match report and reaction from the Aviva, so keep an eye on The 42 for all of that!
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