DUBLIN: Three-time European Cup winners Leinster booked their place in the final of the European Challenge yesterday with a 44-16 thumping of holders Biarritz.
Leinster, who this season became the first holders of the European Cup to go out at the group stage, will play Stade Francais in the final back in Dublin on May 17.
For Biarritz, who stayed in touch until the final minute of the first-half, it means they will miss out on European competition for the first time since the 1999/2000 campaign as they have no hopes of reaching the Top 14 play-offs this term.
Leinster took a fourth minute lead through a try by Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip which was converted by Jonathan Sexton.
Biarritz reduced the lead thanks to a penalty by former France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili and another in the 24th minute saw them trail by just a point.
Sexton, slotted over a penalty shortly before the half hour mark to make it 10-6.
The metronomic Yachvili added another penalty five minutes before the break to make it 10-9.
However, the hosts hit back brutally with two converted tries inside a minute.
The Irish province then worked the ball back down the pitch and ended with Heaslip - a different player to the one who appeared burdened by the captaincy in the Six Nations - crashing over. Sexton converted for a 24-9 half-time lead.
Leinster were rampant now and another fine try followed as Sexton set up wing Isa Nacewa which Madigan converted for 34-9.
Leinster added another try, for 44-9 and 15 minutes still remaining. AFP
