Leinster shook off a lacklustre first half to comfortably beat Sale Sharks and e book a house Champions Cup semi-final towards Toulon.
The four-time European champions struggled to a 7-3 lead on the break, because of Dan Sheehan’s transformed ninth-minute attempt, however turned on the fashion in a one-sided second half.
Tries from Hugo Keenan, Ryan Baird, Rieko Ioane, Tommy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne noticed Leinster put distance between them and Sale, who scored their solely attempt by Alex Wills with 10 minutes remaining.
Leinster will host Toulon, who edged out Glasgow Warriors, at Aviva Stadium on the weekend of two and three Might.
Sale coach Alex Sanderson had promised his aspect weren’t in Dublin “to make up the numbers” and – regardless of a poor season with simply three wins in 12 video games within the Prem – they posed Leinster issues earlier than the break.
The guests had been with out injured England forwards Bevan Rodd and Luke Cowan-Dickie, whereas Nathan Jibulu is serving a six-week ban for biting.
Leinster had been disrupted when prop Alex Usanov limped off after solely 4 minutes, however recovered sufficient to go forward when hooker Sheehan went over below the posts.
However Sharks held agency for the remainder of the half, profitable three penalty scrums and getting on the scoreboard by a George Ford penalty because the hosts did not impose themselves in greasy situations.
However yellow playing cards proven to Dan du Preez and Si McIntyre both aspect of half-time handed Leinster a bonus that they seized, Keenan gliding in three minutes after the restart.
Ford’s boot saved Sale in it at 12-6, however Baird and Ioane crossed near the nook flag inside three minutes of one another, Ioane’s attempt having began from Byrne’s very good declare of a excessive ball.
The Leinster fly-half then laid on the fifth attempt, sending by a chip kick excessive forward that O’Brien landed on simply over the tryline.
Sale confirmed some ambition with recreation all however gone, Wills operating to the nook after a unfastened ball bounced up kindly and was moved vast to the substitute.
However Leinster had the final phrase, man of the match Sheehan rampaging deep into the Sale half earlier than feeding Osborne for the hosts’ sixth attempt with the final motion of the match.
