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Leinster bounced back from their Champions Cup final defeat by Bordeaux-Begles last week by scoring nine tries in an emphatic 59-10 United Rugby Championship quarter-final win over the Lions at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.<\/b><\/p>\n
Dan Sheehan, Hugo Keenan, James Ryan, Scott Penny, Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy and Jimmy O’Brien all crossed for the Irish province, with James Lowe, on his 100th cap, scoring twice.<\/p>\n
The victory <\/b>books Leo Cullen’s side a place against the Stormers in the second of the tournament’s semi-finals next Saturday (17:30 BST). Glasgow will host the Bulls in the other.<\/p>\n
Both sides came out with huge intent, but it was Leinster who got on the scoreboard first, with Sheehan getting over the whitewash 10 minutes in.<\/p>\n
A line break from Keenan edged the home side close to the try line and a final pass from Jimmy O’Brien found the Ireland hooker on the wing and he was able to ground. Sam Prendergast landed the first of seven successful conversions.<\/p>\n
A well-executed line-out move and a series of quick hands involving Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Keenan and Prendergast eventually found O’Brien, but he was met by three Lions defenders and held up over the line.<\/p>\n
With 15 minutes on the clock, Leinster built attacking momentum and full-back Keenan found space with ease for their second try.<\/p>\n
The home side continued to enjoy the upper hand but were reduced to 14 when prop Thomas Clarkson was sent to the sin-bin just shy of half-time for a dangerous tackle on Nico Steyn.<\/p>\n
Henco van Wyk capitalised on the visitors’ numerical advantage and got over from close range for Ivan van Rooyen’s side’s first try, Chris Smith’s conversion attempt hitting the post.<\/p>\n
Leinster’s response was almost immediate as Joe McCarthy executed a monstrous carry to advance to the cusp of the Lions line.<\/p>\n
Ryan burrowed over from close range and Prendergast’s additional points made it 21-5 at the break.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n