Well, that escalated quickly.
Rassie Erasmus' Munster were blown out of the water by a slick Scarlets side that recorded their second victory in Dublin in just over a week having dispatched of Leinster in the semis.
The tone was set early on as Scarlets blitzed into 29-3 lead after just 30 minutes, and there was to be no comeback as the Welsh side kept their foot on the gas throughout. The final score was 22-46, with Irishman Tadhg Beirne even getting himself on the scoresheet.
It must still be said that Munster have had a fantastic season with some incredible moments along the way, but the manner of the defeat, with tries conceded to some very poor defending, left their supporters stunned.
A hard one to take. Certainly not the performance we wanted to give, but thanks for your immense support both today and all season #MUNvSCA
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 27, 2017
After a phenomenal season it's heartbreaking to see Munster not win any silverware. #MUNvSCA
— @Aoifs123 (@Aoifs123) May 27, 2017
Scarlets come over to Ireland and beat Leinster and Munster in the space of 8 days. Deserved champions & they did it in style
— Philip Egan (@PhilEganTodayFM) May 27, 2017
This is torture #MUNvSCA
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) May 27, 2017
Nigel hasn't been great today, but far from the reason we're losing. At least this will put the conspiracy talk to bed anyway #MUNvSCA
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) May 27, 2017
No shame is losing to excellent @scarlets_rugby , but lots of shame in @Munsterrugby not showing up #MUNvSCA
— Fergus Gloster (@fgloster) May 27, 2017
This performance feeds into the theory that Leinster and Munster mentally checked out after their Champions Cup semi-finals.
— Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) May 27, 2017
Those leaving the stadium right mow aren't real Munster fans.
Stand behind those men on the good days, and on the bad. #SUAF— Cathal Sheridan (@catsheridan1) May 27, 2017
Never thought this meme would apply to Munster!!!#MUNvSCA pic.twitter.com/qsIvCty87i
— Graham Love (@GLove39) May 27, 2017
A really disappointing end to an unbelievably tough season for Munster but they are going in the right direction under Rassie Erasmus.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) May 27, 2017
Magnificent from Scarlets. To beat Leinster and Munster in Dublin is the toughest way to win the Pro12, and they did it in spectacular style
— Dafydd Pritchard (@DafPritchard) May 27, 2017
All credit to Scarlets, the fact that both Leinster and Munster believe they played their worst games of the season in the semi-final and indeed the final, suggests that they forced them to do so, rather than it be a co-incidence.
They have had a fantastic turnaround after a poor start, and are fully deserved winners of the Pro 12 title.
