Leinster title hopes crash in Cardiff

IT took a late David Humphreys penalty to deny Leinster the Magners League title on the final lap last year but there was no need for drama in the Arms Park last night, where the Irish side’s ambitions disappeared long before the last act.

Needing a win to end Cardiff’s own title ambitions, and a bonus point to make tonight’s Ospreys game against the Borders academic, Leinster were overrun by the home side, who had the five points wrapped up themselves long before the hour.

Leinster can have few complaints. Though they hovered around the leaderboard all year, their form since the end of the Six Nations has hardly been that associated with a championship-winning team.