Well, that was a pretty awful way to end your season.
Many Leinster fans arriving at the RDS tonight for the Pro 12 semi final against the Scarlets probably thought all their team needed to do was show up to advance to next weekend's final. Unfortunately, they didn't even do that much.
The Welsh side blew Leinster wide open three times in the first half, with Leinster only repsonse coming from a brilliant try finished by Garry Ringrose.
Some reprieve came for the home team came late in the first half, when Steff Evans was sent off for a tip tackle on Garry Ringrose, but Leinster never capitalised, and ended up limping to the end of the season with a 27-15 defeat in front on their home fans.
Worryingly for Leinster, and for The Lions, both starting props left the game with injuries. Jack McGrath lasted just a few minutes going off with what looked like a serious elbow injury. Later on, Tadhg Furlong "hobbled off", as Warren Gatland presumably banged his head repeatedly off a nearby hard surface.
Johnny Sexton also looked to be hurt towards the end of the game, with Isa Nacewa even taking (and missing) a conversion attempt with Leinster briefly providing hope through a Jack Conan try.
It was that kind of night.
It shouldn't be overlooked that it was a brilliant performance by the Scarlets, who received most of the plaudits post game.
What an absolutely stunning win from the @scarlets_rugby. Massive congratulations. Huge performance👊🏽🏉Flying the flag for Wales 🐉
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) May 19, 2017
Monumental away win for Scarlets over Leinster - chapeau.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) May 19, 2017
That is some performance from @scarlets_rugby in so many ways. #LEIvSCA
— Tommy Martin (@TommyMartinVM) May 19, 2017
Leinster into a huddle as Scarlets go to thank their fans. Superb performance from the visitors. Deserved the win. pic.twitter.com/vR2YM29Oft
— Cian Murtagh (@cianmnews) May 19, 2017
Almost double scores with 14 men. Some job at half time by Scarlets players and coaches
— Donn O'Sullivan (@DonnOSullivan) May 19, 2017
Gordon D'arcy wasn't taking too kindly to the Llanelli love in though.
Shut it shanks 🙄😉
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) May 19, 2017
There was much to be said about the abject Leinster performance too.
Forget about tactics and mindset. 6 times a Leinster first receiver dropped basic pass. That's a season's worth in one game. #LEIvSCA
— Simon Hick (@hicksimon) May 19, 2017
#LEIvSCA complacency cost Leinster dearly it was a shocker! Well done Scarlets
— Ita O'Hanlon (@ita_ohanlon) May 19, 2017
Surprised at how abject Leinster were, but warning was there at Ravenhill
— JarlathW (@JarlathW) May 19, 2017
Leinster manage to leave us on a stinker of a loss two years in a row :(
— The Champ Champs (@GifsRugbyNStuff) May 19, 2017
Lions selection is to the fore for a lot of fans looking on tonight, and it's Johnny Sexton's performance that was generating most of the discussion.
Jonny Sexton has just played Owen Farrell into the Lions starting 10 jersey - even Stuart Barnes didn't mention his name in the last 10 mins
— Doug the Prop🏉 (@DougProp) May 19, 2017
Take nothing away from @scarlets_rugby but Sexton will need to rethink his Lions Test Spot #LEIvSCA
— Mike Hav (@hav_mike) May 19, 2017
Worst performance I've seen Sexton play in a Leinster jersey. Shocked if he gets the Lions 10 jersey now #nodebate
— Mark Gilsenan (@mkgilsenan) May 19, 2017
Leinster halfbacks cost them the game.... Gibson park a headless chicken and Sexton dreaming of the Lions tour - advantage Farrell now
— mufc76 (@gfc7676) May 19, 2017
Munster fans will be on high alert for the Ospreys tomorrow after this result.
