Leinster beat Scarlets 33-21 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off quarter-final to end the regional rugby season for the Welsh clubs.

The Irish province – who finished the URC season top of the table – opened up an early lead over the Scarlets through tries from Ireland internationals and British & Irish Lions James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Scarlets rallied, though and hit back through Tom Rogers’ powerful score and Blair Murray’s breakaway try right on halftime to leave the scores at 15-14 at the break.

Murray’s score was a spectacular length-of-the-pitch effort in tandem with fellow Wales wing Ellis Mee. As a Sam Prendergast pass found grass rather than a Leinster hand, Mee kicked the loose ball ahead with himself and Murray in hot pursuit.

Mee kicked again and just before the covering Leinster defender could smoother it, Murray poked it over the try line, dropped onto it and scored.

Scarlets were able to call upon good memories of facing Leinster this season, having beaten them 35-22 at Parc y Scarlets in April – only the second defeat of the Dublin-based side’s URC season.

However, with a strengthened team that included All Black Jordie Barrett and two-time World Cup winning Springbok RG Snyman, Leinster pulled away in the second period.

Tries from Jamie Osborne and Hugo Keenan stretched the home side’s lead before Johnny Williams – a recent returnee to the Wales squad – gave the west Walian side hope of a comeback.

Yellow cards to Alec Hepburn and Vaea Fifita sucked the energy out of the Scarlets resistance and gave Prendergast the shots at goal to put the result beyond doubt.

While Scarlets’ season comes to an end, they can look forward to a return to the Investec Champions Cup next term.

Leinster, meanwhile, will face Glasgow – who they have beaten twice this season – at home next weekend for a place in the final on 14 June as they chase a first trophy since 2021.

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