Leinster set up Croke Park URC final with big win over Glasgow Warriors
Leinster marched into a first BKT URC final since 2021 with a comprehensive 37-19 victory over defending champions Glasgow Warriors.
After a subdued month in the aftermath of their Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton, this was more like the Leinster their fans are accustomed to.
They raced into a 20-point lead at the break, thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan (2), Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson.
It was more of the same in the second half with Osborne and Ciarán Frawley crossing to the muted delight of the 15,762 in attendance at the Dublin 4 venue.
The 2024 winners, who had been beaten twice already in Dublin by Leinster this season, offered little in the way of real resistance as their reign came to an end, although two late consolations helped put a gloss on the scoreboard.
Leo Cullen's side, who lost at the semi-final stage in each of the last three seasons since the South African franchises joined the competition, will meet Bulls or Stormers in Croke Park next Saturday as they bid for a first trophy in four seasons.
Leinster wasted no time getting on the board with Tommy O'Brien winning a jackal penalty on the 22 from the kick-off.
Two minutes later, after sustained pressure close to the line, hooker Sheehan (above) powered over with out-half Sam Prendergast slotting the conversion.
But the Warriors hit back immediately with a try that will annoy Leinster defence guru Jacques Nienaber.
They earned a lineout on halfway from the restart and after a phase in midfield, quickly shifted the ball wide where Kyle Rowe had no trouble rounding Andrew Porter.
The wing chipped ahead and George Horne found himself on his own and dotted but, with Adam Hastings wide off the tee.
5mins: LEIN 7-5 GLA
Glasgow responded perfectly on their first attack of the game to make it an exciting start in the Aviva.
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Both defences held sway for the next 17 minutes but there was no shortage of flashpoints.
The visitors couldn't make anything of a promising lineout on the 22, while Leinster twice gave away penalties close to the Glasgow line, one of which resulted in a bout of pushing and shoving after James Lowe was penalised for obstruction.
Prendergast pushed the Leinster lead out with a straightforward kick after a scrum penalty and Cullen's men were denied a second try when the TMO spotted a needless forward pass by Jamison Gibson-Park before Osborne ran in.
But that only delayed the celebrations momentarily as the centre raced in on the wing after Jimmy O'Brien, and Lowe combined to create the space on the short side.
27mins: LEIN 15-5 GLA
Jamie Osborne puts the disappointment of a disallowed try behind him immediately. Prendergast sets it out right to miss the conversion.
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Leinster were really beginning to get the upper hand in the air, the breakdown and scrum, and after declining a sure three points from a penalty, scored a third try following a close-range lineout.
Lowe came off his wing to try and power in but prop Clarkson was on hand to fight his way over the line to give Leinster a 20-5 lead.
They effectively killed off the game as a contest with the clock in first-half overtime when Sheehan scored another trademark lineout maul try; Prendergast was once again off target with his conversion but the hosts had a healthy 20-point advantage.
Leinster, with Ryan Baird named player of the match, began the second half in the front foot with Jordie Barrett knocking on on the line and Prendergast missing a long-range dropgoal attempt and a penalty as Glasgow held on by their fingertips.
54min: LEIN 32-5 GLA
Another outstanding looping pass from Gibson-Park finds Osborne who launches over to extend Leinster's lead further against an under-pressure Glasgow.
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But they were under severe pressure and after referee Andrea Piardi had issued a warning for consistent infringements, Osborne got on the end of Gibson-Park's flat pass to flop over the line close to the posts.
Leinster unloaded their bench and Frawley, who had replaced Barrett, scrored the next try in the corner minutes later, after Lowe sparked the attack by fielding a high ball on the wing.
57min: LEIN 37-5 GLA
Ciarán Frawley only on the field a few minutes and gets Leinster's sixth try of the game from a Tommy O'Brien setup.
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With Franco Smith's side running out of numbers, Scott Penny, Jack Conan and Tommy O'Brien combined to set up the utility back.
It was starting to resemble a training session for the eight-time winners as the half progressed with Glasgow bowing to the inevitable.
They did manage late consolation tries through Jamie Dobie and Sione Tuipulotu but Leinster focus had already turned to a first URC-era Grand Final decider against South African opposition.
FT: LEIN 37-19 GLA
Joe McCarthy: 'Everyone loves to hate Leinster and that drives us on'.
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Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Scott Pennny, Jack Conan (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan 56), Jack Boyle (Porter 60), Rabah Slimani (Clarkson 56), RG Snyman (Ryan 56), Max Deegan (Conan 64), Luke McGrath (Gibson-Park 70), Ross Byrne (Prendergast 61), Ciarán Frawley (Barrett 56).
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, George Hiddleston, Fin Richardson; Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings; Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter
Replacements: Johnny Matthews (Hiddleston 45), Rory Sutherland (Bhatti 45), Sam Talakai (Richardson 45), Max Williamson (Samuel 45), Jack Mann (Ferrie 73), Macenzzie Duncan (Venter 59), Stafford McDowall (Hastings h/t), Jamie Dobie (Horne 52).
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