Johnny Sexton was at his absolute best as he led Leinster to Guinness PRO14 glory at the Aviva Stadium in a thrilling encounter in Dublin.
Just as he had during the NatWest 6 Nations with Ireland, Sexton pulled the strings in a 40-32 success over the Scarlets to help Leinster complete the double following their recent Champions Cup title.
He was far from the only member of the Grand Slam-winning side to make his mark in the final, with Devin Toner, Sean Cronin, Jordan Larmour and Jack Conan also getting on the scoresheet.
However, it was Sexton who set the tone for the hour and a bit he was on, never giving the defending champions a sniff.
He produced a masterclass in the first half as he kept the Scarlets pinned back with his tactical kicking, while also keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
He and Leigh Halfpenny exchanged kicks as Leinster led 9-6 just before the half-hour, and then it was an unlikely player who provided the first try.
Toner is a key man in the Leinster and Ireland lineout, and usually better known for his unseen work, but he was the one to force his way over from close range.
Sexton could not convert and the Scarlets were soon back within three points. Gareth Davies sniped over after the initial break from Johnny McNicholl, who then got the final touch down.
However, Leinster, like Ireland, are dangerous in the closing stages of halves, and they struck again as Sexton’s quick hands put James Lowe over in the corner, with his touchline conversion giving the Irish side a 21-11 half-time lead.
That appeared to be the crucial moment in the game, with Leinster able to carry that momentum into the second half.
Cronin’s try off the back of a rolling maul made it a three-score advantage and Larmour then added a sublime fourth, chipping over the top, scooping up with one hand and dotting down to seal the win.
The Scarlets kept fighting, with McNicholl getting his second after being set up by Halfpenny, but Conan’s try sealed the win.
And despite the Scarlets having the final say with two further tries from Werner Kruger and McNicholl’s hat-trick effort, it was too little too late.
