Leinster ease into semi-finals

Holders Leinster effortlessly extended their unbeaten Heineken Cup record to 13 games as they booked a semi-final appointment with Saracens or Clermont Auvergne after a 34-3 win over Cardiff Blues.

Leinster will head to Twickenham or Bordeaux on April 29, depending on the winners of Sunday's Vicarage Road tie, after crushing an outclassed Blues outfit.

Leinster showed no mercy, ripping their opponents apart as Isa Nacewa, Rob Kearney and Brian O'Driscoll scored first-half tries to end the contest after 40 minutes.

Full-back Kearney added his second touchdown within seven minutes of the restart, and although the Blues displayed touches of attacking intent, they were restricted to a Leigh Halfpenny penalty for their only points.

Fly-half Jonathan Sexton kicked 14 points for the home side via four conversions and two penalties as they booked a fourth successive Heineken semi-final appearance.

The second period was a damp squib, yet it hardly mattered from the home side's perspective as a 24-point interval advantage meant Leinster's sights were on the semi-finals from an early stage.