In what was a game described as a credit to the Magners League, the Scarlets were unfortunate to have to leave the RDS in Dublin empty handed.

This was the fourth game between the two teams this season and it turned out to be a fast paced game, with both teams moving the ball out wide at every opportunity.

At the forefront of the Scarlets' attacking moves was the continuing partnership between centres Jonathan Davies and recently returned Regan King. Rhys Priestland was controlling play well from outside half and the ball was moving through the hands with very little kicking.

Leinster were the first to score however, Sexton successful with a penalty attempt following an infringement in the tackle area. 3-0 Leinster.

The Scarlets didn't show any break to their momentum having fallen behind. Priestland again started another attacking move which saw Andy Fenby take the play into Leinster's 22. Another break involving King and Davies in midfield saw Leinster penalised.

Rhys Priestland stepped up to kick the penalty to tie the score at 3-3.

Leinster kept pressing but this time it was Jon Davies' turn to shine in defence stopping Leinster and regaining possesion for the Scarlets.

What followed was a superb move by the young Scarlets team, showing their ability to produce attacking, exciting and flowing rugby at its best. The ball passed through the hands of Jon Davies, Johnathan Edwards, Regan King and David Lyons before being passed by the capatain to Ken Owens out on the wing. He crossed the line to finish a move started by him from a scrum 70 yards back down the field. It was undoubtedly try of the season by the Scarlets to take the score 3-8.

Rhys Priestland's confidence was shown a few minutes later, when following a Leinster infringement, the Scarlets had a penalty in their own half. The Scarlets no10 indicated he wanted to go for goal and only narrowly missed.

A dangerous period of play from Leinster followed and they moved the ball along to reach the touch line, where Nacewa was ready to gather the pass and cross for a try. It was a crucial score at a time when the Scarlets were well-deserving of their lead. Sexton converted to make it 10-8. This lead was extended by a Sexton penalty not long after -13-8.

As Leinster pressure continued, Jon Davies made a crucial, crunching tackle on Leinster hooker Jackman. And new edition to Wales's squad, Ken Owens showed he had another trick up his sleeve when he made a clearing kick down field from his own 22.

As the half was drawing to a lose, the Scarlets were awarded the penalty and captain David Lyons saw the opportunity to close the gap before the interval. Rhys Priestand did just that. 13-11 at half-time.

As the second half got under way, it was soon apparent that the tempo was not going to let up. There might have been a little more of a kicking game from both sides, but the ball was moved about as much as in the first half.

The Scarlets early pressure soon drew rewards. Rhys Priestland converted a penalty following a forced mistake from Dempsey. 13-14. Josh Turnbull replaced Jonathan Edwards on 48 minutes. Not long after the Scarlets were penalised for offside. Sexton stepped up 16-14. Another Sexton penalty made it 19-14.

The Scarlets came back with a sustained patient period of play, with the ball moving through the hands again as they built up the phases.

Priestland, who had another good game controlling the Scarlets play got back to defend bravely minutes after his positional kick but was penalised. Sexton stepped up to take the score to 19-14.

The full Scarlet front row was replaced as Rhys Thomas, Phil John and Emyr Phillips took the place of Iestyn Thomas, Ken Owens and Deacon Manu.

Dan Newton, in his first start for the region this season at full-back, put in a great tackle on experienced international Horgan to halt a try-scoring move.

But again Sexton increased the Leinster lead, 22-14 with another penalty.

The Scarlets didn't cave in and kept their tempo and determination to run the ball. But unfortunately two exciting late try scoring opportunities for McCusker and Fenby cruelly came to nothing.

For the first time in the game, Leinster went two scores ahead with another Sexton kick. The final blow came with a Sexton try minutes from the end. 27-14. The Scarlets performance was a positive one, in that it produced a number of gilt-edged try-scoring chances. The biggest surprise at the end of such a flowing game was that there were only three tries scored throughout.