Richardt Strauss’ try double set Leinster on their way to a 50-19 bonus-point win over Benetton Treviso at the RDS Arena that means they finish the regular season top of the Guinness PRO12 table. Strauss crossed twice, his first league tries in two years, while Jonathan Sexton also went over in the first half. Jack McGrath, Isa Nacewa, Mick Kearney, Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose all dotted down after the break to ensure Leinster ended in top spot and will have a home semi-final against fourth-placed Ulster. The victory maintained their 100 per cent league record at the RDS this term and that – combined with the fact that no side in Guinness PRO12 history has ever lost a home semi-final – will have them confident of participating in the final for a seventh time come May 28. Marco Lazzaroni, Matteo Muccignat and Enrico Bacchin did cross the whitewash for Treviso but defeat means they end the season in 12th and are still searching for just a second-ever PRO12 win over Leinster. Perhaps more importantly, they also miss out on a Champions Cup place after being leapfrogged for the Italian spot in the competition by Zebre, who notched a final-day win over Newport Gwent Dragons. Heading into the clash, Leinster knew that a bonus-point win would guarantee them a home semi-final regardless of the result 200km to the west at the Sportsground and they made the perfect start with a try on eight minutes. Nacewa demonstrated his remarkable turn of pace to surge through the Treviso defence and after Rob and Dave Kearney had combined to great effect, the latter offloaded for Sexton to cross in the left-hand corner – although the Ireland fly-half’s conversion attempt slipped wide. Dave Kearney almost turned from provider to scorer shortly afterwards but dropped Sexton’s pass with the try-line at his mercy. However the second try did come midway through the half as a succession of penalties kicked to the corner eventually led to hooker Strauss burrowing over for his first PRO12 try since the 2013-14 season. Sexton once again failed to add the extras but Strauss soon gave him another chance from the tee after showing off his newly-honed nose for the try-line by bundling over from close-range and this time the kicker made no mistake. Despite a 17-0 advantage, the hosts showed no signs of letting up as a mazy run from Ringrose bamboozled the visiting defence and had the crowd on its feet but Treviso finally began to establish a foothold and stopped any further damage before the break With news that Zebre had established a healthy half-time lead over the Dragons seeping through, Treviso’s Champions Cup hopes were looking bleak but they started second half the stronger, although failed to convert territorial dominance into points. And Leinster made them pay on 45 minutes as Nacewa looked poised to dot down, only to stumble ten metres from the line, but just a few phases later McGrath powered over for his tenth try for the club, Nacewa converting for 24-0. The New Zealand-born powerhouse then got the try his fantastic performance deserved when he sent a grubber kick through for Ringrose before the youngster fed Jordi Murphy, who released Nacewa to dive over. 31-0 then became 36-0 with 20 minutes remaining as Mick Kearney grabbed his first Leinster try, although Lazzaroni finally got Treviso on the board after dotting down a perfectly-timed pass from Jayden Hayward soon after. Any joy for the Italians was short-lived however as brilliant footwork from Reid saw him cross for the hosts’ seventh try of the day, although Muccignat was on hand for the visitors’ second try eight minutes from time. They even notched a third score three minutes from the end as Bacchin profited following a series of pick-and-go’s but Leinster had the final say as Ringrose made his way over right at the death to round out a 50-19 triumph. To buy tickets for the Guinness PRO12 Grand Final click here. Also follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the Guinness PRO12.
