Leinster claimed a 20-12 win against Connacht in Dublin while Scarlets were robbed by the Ospreys who won 23-22 in Swansea on Saturday night.
The Dublin game saw the hosts not have everything their own way, despite getting off to a solid start with an Andrew Os𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧e try in the 19th minute – the first points of the game. Ross Byrne nudged the conversion over, as he did seven minutes later when Charlie Tector threw his name on the scoreboard.
The score would not move at all for the rest of the half as Connacht grew into the game but failed to get any points to show for it.
Like the first period, the second half started with Leinster points as Byrne kicked the first penalty of the game with the hosts looking to stay out of reach.
Finally, Connacht were rewarded for their bravery through Oisin Dowling’s try in the 52nd minute, which went unconverted. Cathal Forde would come right off the tee as he nailed the conversion for the second try right on the hour mark with Shane Jennings crossing the whitewash.
The game opened up as Connacht looked for the victory but in the end, it was Leinster that held on, earning themselves a late penalty which Byrne nailed to ensure the hosts came out on top.
Ospreys smash and grab against Scarlets
The other derby on the night was even more fiercely contested in Swansea as the hosts got the start they would have wanted as fly-half Dan Edwards kicked a conversion after just nine minutes to get the game underway.
Scarlets had something to say about that with Ioan Lloyd opening his account six minutes later with a penalty of his own. The full-back wouldn’t stop there adding three more (18’, 26’, 32’) to hand his side a decent lead near the half-time break.
However, the hosts eventually found their way over the line through Sam Parry just before the break. This time Edwards was off the mark with his conversion attempt.
Whatever Dwayne Peel said at the break worked as Scarlets charged out of the blocks in the second period with a try one minute in courtesy of Ellis Mee as Lloyd added the extras putting the visitors in prime position.
Wales great Justin Tipuric showed his ever-green class scoring five minutes later as Edwards made his kick. Sam Costelow and Edwards would trade a penalty apiece leaving the game finely balanced heading into the final 10.
In dramatic fashion, the game was decided by Iestyn Hopkins who slid over the line with the clock in the red to break the hearts of those wearing that colour.
