Ryan Bailey reports from the Aviva Stadium
EVEN BY LEINSTER’S sky-high standards, their big-game performances got progressively better as the season advanced, with Leo Cullen’s side having to dig deep, both mentally and physically, to produce week-on-week and deliver a famous double.
The eastern province worked tirelessly to grind out a narrow and attritional Champions Cup win over Racing 92 and then followed that up with a win-at-all-costs result against Munster in the Pro14 semi-final last week.
Here, they cut loose again and conjured some of the expansive and ruthless brand of rugby we’ve come to expect from Leinster this season, pummeling Scarlets and bullying the Welsh region into submission while scoring five tries, including standout efforts from James Lowe, Jordan Larmour and Jack Conan.
This was Leinster at their brilliant best as they executed the basics to perfection and used a flawless set-piece platform to launch a direct running game but also punish Scarlets out wide as they varied the angle of attack regularly.
Johnny Sexton, as he always is, was key to it all and operating behind a dominant pack, the out-half was masterful in the way he dictated proceedings and put Scarlets, and Steff Evans in particular, under serious aerial pressure.
Leinster’s ferocious ball carriers — the likes of James Ryan, Jack Conan and Tadhg Furlong — punched holes in the Scarlets defence and after completely dominating possession and territory, pulled clear with three quick tries either side of the break.
It is that ability to strike at key moments — or in the championship minutes — which is the hallmark of great sides, and just like Ireland did regularly during the Grand Slam-winning campaign, Leinster have done the same in recent weeks.
For Cullen and his squad of 55 players, it is a remarkable feat to become the first side to complete a European and Pro14 double, something the province’s great team of previous years were unable to achieve.
“The last couple of weeks have been a mental and physical test for all of us, you know, players and staff, trying to turn it around,” Cullen said afterwards.
“It was a huge challenge last week against Munster in the RDS and dealing with the celebration.
“After overcoming that, because there was a lot of emotion went into that performance last week, so to try and get our feet back on the ground this week was a challenge. But credit to the players, they’re the ones who have produced the deeds on the field and I thought they were exceptional, they really were.
“Some of the play in the first half, it was pretty attritional but we knew we needed to be direct in how we play against Scarlets because if we go too wide or you’re a little bit too loose you come unstuck because they’ve so many threats with the ball and so many players in the front line.
“Credit to the players, I thought they really fronted up physically in the first half and took some good opportunities when they came at the start of the second half. Thankfully a little bit easier watching than the last two weeks, when there was a combined winning margin of four points.”
As was expected, Scarlets brought greater intensity to their game in the early exchanges but their aggressive line speed saw them cough up a number of offside penalties, and man-of-the-match Sexton duly got Leinster up and running.
Even allowing for the loss of Isa Nacewa after just 18 minutes, Leinster barely flinched and after Sexton and Leigh Halfpenny had exchanged first-half penalties, the province upped the ante and scored twice before the break through Devin Toner and Jame Lowe.
Lowe’s score, in particular, came at a key juncture in the game after Scarlets had hit back through Johnny Mcnicholl at the other end, with Leinster instead taking a 10-point advantage in at the break.
“It was massive,” Cullen agreed. “When Scarlets had possession and they scored their try we looked a bit vulnerable defensively. You know, sitting off a little bit, we were soaking metres and eventually, it leads to them scoring.
“So to come back down the other end of the field and there was a sequence of a couple of penalties there and to go to the corner, the boys were very clinical there in taking their opportunity when it came.
“A huge moment in the game, scoring on half-time creates that bit of separation, Johnny kicks the conversion from the sideline, which again is just another mental trigger, a positive for us, a negative for them.”
And then Leinster showed their ruthlessness by killing off Scarlets through Sean Cronin and then Jordan Larmour’s latest virtuoso score, the 20-year-old producing a stunning one-handed pick up after chasing his own kick into the Scarlets 22.
It was an exceptional piece of skill to seal victory and at no point during the evening did the double look in doubt, even though Scarlets hit back with three late tries in between Leinster’s fifth of the game, finished by Conan and created by Joey Carbery.
The scenes at full-time were a brilliant end to a memorable season for Irish rugby as Leinster bid farewell to Nacewa in fitting fashion, while the likes of Larmour, Carbery, Ryan and Dan Leavy completed an incredible year with further silverware in their back pockets.
Leinster will enjoy the celebrations having completed their greatest-ever season in emphatic style, but already Cullen is looking ahead to next year when the province will be looking to defend their two crowns.
“It’s such a hungry group,” Cullen added. “The taste of success is nice and you can see the players in the dressing room at the moment — I’m trying to avoid it.
“It’s amazing just to be able to work so hard as a group together, you share the ups and downs and it’s not always straightforward at all. There’s going to be other players that are going to come through next year. It’s seeing the team progress and get better and better and we’ll just try and get better again.
“I was watching last night Montpellier against Lyon in the semi-final of the Top 14 and certainly the competition looks like it’s going to get better. There’s plenty of resources going thrown at certain teams around Europe and even looking at a bit of Saracens today as well, they look strong as well, a couple of key guys coming back from injury for them.
“Yeah, everybody’s going to get better and come back stronger and for us we need to focus on getting better but that’s a different day’s work I think.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Mc Gregor is just a toe rag and his mates too.
@SF Nuts: totally agree. He’s nothing but a scu(m) bag. Maybe tesco might hire him to sell his muck whiskey.
@SF Nuts:
Agreed. Insufferable character.
Hopefully he’ll finally go away now and play with his money and that’s the last we’ll see/hear from him.
@Tweed Cap: He’ll be headlining the next card in a month
@SF Nuts: he’s a more accomplished individual than any commentor on here.
Proper 12 Whiskey. Now also available on tap.
@sequoia: brilliant. Take my hat off to that one :)
I don’t even know how people call that a sport, that’s up there with Badger Baiting.
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: correct
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: I’ve seen worse brawls in a GAA match tbh
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: badgers don’t decide to train, don’t decide to study and don’t decide to test themselves against other badgers. You see the difference? Free will, expression , discipline, training , personal growth…
@Dáithí O Raghailaigh: well you’re clearly a moron if you can’t see the skill involved. Seriously, you must be mentally deficient.
I didn’t know that Conor could squeal like a little girl? Pride humbled – and then humiliated – is a awesome thing.
@Jane Aelst: make yourself feel better?
It’s interesting how the worm has turned on McGregor, not to Long ago social media and the comments on the site were full of how he was putting Ireland on the map and what a great role model he was for kids to follow their dreams.I think people have just got sick of his antics .Contrast McGregor to Anthony Joshua who is a great champion and a class act in and out of the ring, he is a real sporting role model
@Robert Woodward: Problem with Irish people is they enjoy seeing somebody’s rise to the top. Once you’re there, they hate them.
@Robert Woodward: He well and truly “Put Ireland on the map last night” —–for all the wrong reasons!!
@Robert Woodward: Coinage.
@Earl of Daventry: well said. The amount of people that go take time to stick the boot in is very Irish. Shows a lack of understanding of what’s involved and thereby reduces their right to pass judgement on character. I hope he comes back and beats Khabib. Doubt it but I hope he does.
@Robert Woodward: Anthony joshua who was convicted for drug offenses?
@Robert Woodward:
The question is who turned first? Conor or the worm? A couple of years ago he was someone that regardless of your opinion on UFC, it was difficult to dislike him. He was a great example of getting out and doing something with your life and a positive role model to young people.
Jump forward 2 years, he made more money before his 30th birthday than most people do in their lives, I find it an awful shame that he has been constantly in the media for the wrong reasons. This behaviour wears people out and the rough charm disappears.
@Michael Henvey: spot on! The native begrudgery is one of the most disgusting traits I’ve come across.
Feeling the need to weigh in, without any respect for what it has taken to get to this position, is the sign of a weak mind and makes me disappointed to be Irish, at times.
He’s spent 2 years out of the sport and his come back fight against an undefeated hungry active fighter?? The reality was McGregor should of taken at least 1 or 2 fights before he went up against Khabib. Khabib shouldn’t give him a rematch he’s beaten him easily enough. McGregor has a 6 fight deal so maybe do like Dustin Poirier and fight his way back for another title shot. I think making $100 million+ you loose some hunger and that’s what makes the difference sometimes.
@Davidnoack: spot on comment. Hunger is gone. Not a sport for hobbyists
@Davidnoack: why do people always talk about the money McGregor making .Do you ever hear people talking about the money Messi, or Usain Bolt or Rodger Feder or Tom Brady or Jonnie Sexton have.They are all doing well but people don’t talk about that , they talk about what they have won, they are winners and the money is a secondary consideration.
@Robert Woodward: its because the UFC like boxing is prize fighting. People do it to earn the purse you wouldn’t risk your life in the ring otherwise.
And Conor happens to be a master at negotiating massive purses for himself so that alone is news
@Robert Woodward: I’m just pointing out that when you have made a lot of money from a sport your drive and hunger sometimes isn’t a 100% and that’s what can be the difference between winning and losing. Rory Macilroy got a massive Nike deal and his form seriously dipped. With the UFC if your form dips you loose and usually career is over.
I’m having a McGregor Whiskey and diet choke after that laugh.
Whilst I’d like to think that it’s another theatrical staging, the thuggery appeared to be spontaneous. McGregor says he’s not pressing charges but surely it’s up to the police to make that call?
@Brendan T. M. P. Bur: they were certainly released very very quickly too, but yes many of the charges would be decided by the police and would not require a victim statement.
@Paul Fahey: Well versed on nevada state law as well as an expert on the north? Anything you aren’t an expert on?
@Mel roberts: Oh dear you really are not the brightest and yes I am a well versed in law as it is my profession. Like i knew you had chips on your shoulder seems you knew my prodession. Both psychic, now would you like vinegar with those.
@Paul Fahey: So you practice your profession in nevada???? For someone thats not very bright at least i proof read my comments!! Prodession is new on me
@Mel roberts: seems I do know what I am talking about and you are indeed utterly clueless.
https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/ufc/news/19828/11521544/no-arrests-after-ufc-mcgregor-v-khabib-fight-in-las-vegas-say-police
Glad he lost
Please take a moment to think of the tailors of Dublin who this morning face financial ruin, what will happen to the retailers who put their life savings into 3 piece peak lapel suits, french cuffed shirts and hopsack blazers?
What sort of accents do you people have
@Jonny: wannabe yank accents
@Lambo Moonski:
@Lambo Moonski: :) :) :) :) :) :)
can’t call this a sport, more like WWE with all the staging and story lines – yawn
@James Milligan: blah blah blah. At least make some effort to be witty or humorous…simple minds, simple pleasures, I suppose.
Another panto. Another day to rake in more money from people who call McGregor ‘Conor’ like he was their BFF. I’m convinced the guy is actually a genius, and only pretending to be a mouthy thug
@Paddy Downey: It’s a contrived act to sell tickets and PPV’s. Conor went to America with a business plan, gave the fans what they wanted in the process and made a lot of money. More respectful, humble fighters who are technically better than conor are still fighting for peanuts in comparison. He is a genius, very high IQ behind the hype and hyperbole. All that aside, he was badly exposed last night, very difficult to come back from the beating he took.
@Paddy Downey: he sees nothing wrong with hanging around with gangsters, so no he’s not pretending. He is a thug in a ‘sport’ for thugs.
@Dermot Lane: tool
Rematch….
@Willy Mc Caul: yep, apparently Conor has already tweeted he is looking forward to it. I agree with Gavan in this, did he really do anything to deserve one?
@Willy Mc Caul: I hope not, Conor has no plan B against Khabib who is technically far superior. Khabib went toe to toe in the 3rd round just to prove that he is better standing up or on the ground. Not sure where Conor goes from here, he looked on the decline last night, probably better to call it a day and focus on his business interests.
@Willy Mc Caul: isn’t that the first thing he said when Diaz beat him, but yet he’s never given a rematch or even defended a belt!
@Tony Maguire: How do you get past Khabib’s wrestling?? His legs alone?? Bear in mind he lost his first ever round tonight, nevermind fight. Conor vs. Tony.
Oh on the ground?…thought you’d be in the sky in Vegas.
Khabib owned McGregor last night. Regardless of all the antics, it will go down as a definitive victory.
Hats off to The Eagle for getting it done so convincingly. Not the result I was hoping for…
Lol at the middle class nerds who are enjoying this great warriors downfall
McGregor is a marketing genuis, how many turned up and tuned in to witness his beating,all fairly contrived and now set up for a remarkable comeback fight in Vegas.. he’s a cash cow.
Who won?
@Gene Parmesan: Dana
Thugs, all of them!
Am I missing something or did Khabib attack, was this not self defence? Obviously it’ll kick off then, but squarely all the blame is on Khabib imo.
Dana White is a focking joke!…..total hypocrite!….only in it for the money.
My name is Glenn Baker and i live in USA Florida and i am a happy man today, I told my self that any Loan lender that could change my Life and that of my family, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to Them. If you are in need of loan and you are 100% sure to pay back the loan please contact them and please tell them that Glenn Baker referred you to them ramsedave121@gmail.com Whatsapp +1 817-729-8866
Glenn Baker