Amlin Challenge Cup: Leinster 44-16 Biarritz
 

Leinster will return to their own RDS ground for an Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais after thrashing defending champions Biarritz.

A brace of tries from Jamie Heaslip and a Jonny Sexton score helped Leinster into a 24-9 half-time lead, Biarritz replying via Dimitri Yachvili's boot.

Isa Nacewa claimed a fourth try for last year's Heineken Cup champions.

Brian O'Driscoll added a fifth before Arnaud Heguy's reply but the hosts had long since booked a 17 May final berth.

It was a superb all-round performance from the 2012 European champions, who have been been below their best this season and exited the Heineken Cup in the group stages, dropping them into the second-tier Challenge Cup.

For the first 37 minutes it was an even contest, with Leinster looking to go wide at every opportunity while Biarritz preferred to attack much closer to the ruck through their giant forwards.

But a quick-fire double from the hosts just before the break was decisive and they were in a class of their own after the break.

More to follow.

Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, I Madigan, I Nacewa; J Sexton, I Boss, C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (capt), D Toner, K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, J Hagan, Q Roux, R Ruddock, J Cooney, A Goodman, A Conway.

Biarritz: M Bosch; T Ngwenya, B Baby, D Traille, A Brew; JP Barraque, D Yachvili; T Scnaeghel, A Heguy, B Broster; E Lund, P Taele; T Dubarry, R Lakafia, I Harinordoquy.

Replacements: B August, E Van Staden, F Gomez Kodela, M Marie, W Lauret, Y Lesgourgues, S Burotu, T Thomas.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)

 

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