Leinster Qualify For Quarterfinals

Former European Champions Leinster booked their place in the quarter-finals with an impressive 43-20 victory over Saracens in Dublin.

It was a clinical performance from the hosts who knew a bonus-point victory would take them into the knock-out phases thanks to a superior match-point record over closest rivals ASM Clermont Auvergne.

In a fast flowing first half the hosts crossed for three tries with Saracens adding two of their own but Fergus McFadden's try early in the second clinched the victory and bonus point for the Irish side.

It took Leinster just five minutes to grab their first try courtsey of Sean O'Brien who was on top form at the RDS all afternoon. Sexton missed the conversion but he was lining up his second a few minutes later after Dominic Ryan stretched his way over to score.

Sexton made no mistake with the conversion to give the hosts an early 12-0 lead. With their tails up Leinster were hunting a third try but a loose pass from Luke

Fitzgerald threw Saracens a life-line as James Short pounced on the ball and raced clear to score, with Owen Farrell adding the simple conversion.

The visitors then grabbed then second try soon after Sexton had responded to the first with a penalty for Leinster.

England wing David Strettle launched the attack and linked up with Andy Saull to put Kelly Brown away to score.

Every time Leinster attacked they looked threatening and Ryan touched down for his second on the stroke of half-time, with Sexton adding the two points.

McFadden's try ten minutes into the second period clinched the bonus point and set the scene for the remaining 30 minutes of the game.

Farrell grabbed three points back for Saracens before Isa Nacewa got the try he so deserved for his afternoon's work. Sexton converted and did the same after Eoin O'Malley's score.

As the game approached the end Saracens would not lie down and built themselves into a promising position and Nils Mordt slid over in injury-time for a late consolation.