Holders Munster crash out

Llanelli Scarlets 24 Munster 15:   Llanelli marched into the Heineken Cup semi-finals after they ended Munster's reign as European…

Llanelli Scarlets 24 Munster 15:  Llanelli marched into the Heineken Cup semi-finals after they ended Munster's reign as European champions with a blistering performance at Stradey Park.

Munster had no answer to the Scarlets' pace, power and invention, collapsing in a crumpled heap by half-time.

Llanelli led 17-0 at the interval following tries by wing Dafydd James and flanker Gavin Thomas, which left the Irish giants — even by their colossal standards — facing mission improbable.

Wing Ian Dowling touched down 13 minutes from time, although he benefited from a blatant forward pass by Christian Cullen, but it was too little, too late as Llanelli kept their shape and organisation to conjure a brilliant score for full-back Barry Davies.

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The Scarlets, beaten semi-finalists in 2000 and 2002, will now face Leicester or Stade Francais — they clash at Welford Road on Sunday — in three weeks' time.

And with Llanelli boasting seven successive Heineken Cup victories this season, the Welsh juggernaut appears to be rumbling ominously towards the May 20 final at Twickenham.

Munster suffered a first away defeat in the tournament for 18 months, and with it went all hope of emulating Leicester as only the second team to retain European rugby's biggest club prize.

Stephen Jones converted all three tries, while Davies kicked a long-range penalty, but Munster captain Ronan O'Gara could only land two strikes from five attempts — which included the conversion of substitute lock Donnacha Ryan's consolation try.