Seamless Leinster display secures third semi spot for PRO14

Having watched Munster reach the last four against the odds 24 hours earlier, Leinster would have been even more energised to join their neighbours and rivals in the Champions Cup last four.

Back-to-back Champions Cup winners Saracens may have been off the pace a bit this season, but they were never going to give up their European crown easily. The nature of the beast that has made them such a champion side and so difficult to beat in recent seasons was always going to make this a very challenging game for Leinster.

With 15 Grand Slam winners in their matchday squad, any concerns they might be suffering some kind of Six Nations hangover were dispelled as early as the fourth minute, when one of those heroes, Garry Ringrose, finished a sublime Leinster breakout from Isa Nacewa and James Lowe to propel Leo Cullen’s side into a seven-point lead.