Rampant Leinster book home semi-final

Defending champions Leinster secured a home semi-final in the Pro14 with a comfortable 19-7 defeat of the Cheetahs.

The Irish side moved a massive 26 points clear at the top of Conference B in Friday’s only match at the RDS Arena, ensuring they will have home advantage in the play-offs.

Ox Nche was shown a yellow card in the 10th minute and Leinster immediately capitalised, with Conor O’Brien bursting through to break the deadlock.

But five minutes later, the visitors were level. Rabz Maxwane hared after a kick downfield and finished, with Tian Schoeman cancelling out Ross Byrne’s successful conversion.

The flurry of scores kept coming, though, and Adam Byrne marked his 50th Leinster appearance by touching down in the right corner to give the hosts a half-time lead.

And Cheetahs did not trouble the scoreline again, as Rory O’Loughlin stretched the hosts’ advantage and then Ross Byrne’s second accurate kick set up a cruise to the finish line.

Full-time! And that win secures a home semi-final in the #GuinnessPRO14 #LEIvCHE #JoinTheRoar pic.twitter.com/AhR4k7tKCx

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 1, 2019

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