Leinster ran in six tries as they trounced Sale Sharks 43-13 to book their place in the Investec Champions Cup semi-finals.
The Irish province got off to the perfect start at the Aviva Stadium when, after they had secured line-out ball, they went through the phases before hooker Dan Sheehan crashed over to score a 10th-minute try and Harry Byrne added the conversion.
Sharks reduced the deficit six minutes before the break with a penalty from England fly-half George Ford, but they were down to 14 men with four minutes left on the clock when No 8 Dan du Preez was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
Full-back Hugo Keenan stretched Leinster’s lead with a second try three minutes after the restart and prop Simon McIntyre’s yellow card for a high tackle did not aid Sale’s cause despite a second Ford penalty.
Flanker Ryan Baird crossed for a third try for the hosts and wingers Rieko Ioane and Tommy O’Brien followed suit with Byrne adding the conversions.
Sale replacement Alex Willis touched down in the corner and Ford obliged with the extras, but a Byrne penalty and a converted Jamie Osborne try wrapped up a convincing win.
They will host Toulon in the semi-finals, with Bath awaiting the winner of Sunday’s blockbuster clash between Bordeaux Begles and Toulouse.
PA
