Scarlets stun under-strength Leinster to keep URC play-off hopes alive
AN under-strength Leinster were beaten for just the second time this season as Scarlets clocked up a first win over the province since December 2018.
The victory for the hosts in Wales — their first over any Irish side since 2021 — maintains their URC play-off hopes, with Leinster eyes firmly fixed on their Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton.
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Leinster suffered only their second defeat of the season in the URC against The Scarlets
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The win was the first win for Scarlets against Irish opposition in six years
Jamie Osborne, Diarmuid Mangan and James Culhane scored Leinster's tries with Ross Byrne converting two and adding a penalty.
But that was not enough for even a bonus point, something Scarlets did get as Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Gareth Davies and Taine Plumtree all dotted down.
They took the lead when a powerful burst from Plumtree broke the defence for the supporting Davies to race in under the posts.
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Sam Costelow converted and added a penalty before Leinster lost lock Brian Deeny with a leg injury.
After Byrne got Leo Cullen's side off the mark with a three-pointer, Rogers responded with a stylish try.
But from the restart, Costelow's clearance was charged down by replacement Mangan, with Osborne pouncing on the loose ball to score.
Plumtree, after a Leinster error, and Mangan, from close range, traded further tries as the Blues trailed 22-15 at the interval — a deficit made worse early on in the second half as Blair Murray set up Roberts for Scarlets' fourth.
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Culhane pulled another try back for Leinster but the league leaders were then held scoreless for the final half-hour.
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SCORERS — Scarlets: Tries, G Davies, T Rogers, Plumtree, Roberts; cons, Costelow 3; pens, Costelow, Lloyd 2. Leinster: Tries, J Osborne, Mangan, Culhane; cons, R Byrne 2; pen, R Byrne
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