Kildare's McFadden scores a try as Leinster hammer Scarlets to book Champions Cup final spot

Suncroft man Fergus McFadden scored a try before going off injured as Leinster sealed their place in the Champions Cup final with a faultless 38-16 win over reigning Pro12 champions Scarlets.

Leinster fell behind early on as Leigh Halfpenny slotted over a penalty, but the Blues were imperious after that as they turned up the heat on a splendid afternoon in the Aviva Stadium.

James Ryan - yet to lose in a Leinster or Irish jersey after two years as a professional rugby player - got Leinster off the mark when he powered over the tackle of Eadestown native Tadgh Beirne to get the home side's first try.

With the Leinster lineout almost faultless, Leo Cullen's men had a fantastic attacking platform to build their success on, and that proved significant in the build-up to Cian Healy's 26th minute try as he crept over after initially helping to keep the move alive.

Halfpenny narrowed the deficit with a couple of converted penalties, but McFadden ensured that Leinster were in a dominant position at the break when he took a pass from Garry Ringrose and applied the finish. The former Clongowes student injured himself in the process however, and he was replaced by Jordan Larmour at the break.

The second was all one-way traffic as Leinster continued to exert control, and further tries from Scott Fardy and Johnny Sexton put the game to bed. Beirne became the second Kildare man to bag a try when he touched down in the final minute, but that was mere consolation for the Welsh side.

Athy's Joey Carbery and Kill's James Tracy also featured for the victors off the bench, and they will be keen for more involvement in the final in Bilbao next month.