Ross Byrne scored 14 points as Leinster thrashed Munster 24-9 to set up a title defence against the Glasgow Warriors.

The champions will have the opportunity to add a sixth title when they face the Warriors, who beat Ulster in the first semi-final on Friday.

Munster, featuring loose forwards Arno Botha and CJ Stander and lock Jean Kleyn in their starting lineup, initially kept the pace with their hosts.

Ireland flyhalf hopefuls Joey Carbery and Ross Byrne traded penalties, but with the latter out-kicking the former with four successful attempts to three, Leinster took a 12-9 lead into the break.

The second half was an energy-sapping affair as Munster coach Johann van Graan, a former Springbok backroom staffer, could only watch while his men faded badly against the fired-up defending champions.

Leinster finally breached a stubborn Munster defence to score two tries via hooker Sean Cronin and wing James Lowe in the 54th and 79th minutes respectively to seal a place in the final.

Leinster – Tries: Sean Cronin, James Lowe. Conversion: Ross Byrne. Penalties: Byrne (4).
Munster – Penalties: Joey Carbery (3).

Leinster – 15 Jordan Larmour, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Rhys Ruddock (c), 5 James Ryan, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Seán Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Subs: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Scott Fardy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 Rory O’Loughlin.

Munster – 15 Mike Haley, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Arno Botha, 7 CJ Stander, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 John Ryan, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Subs: 16 Kevin O’Byrne, 17 Liam O’Connor, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Billy Holland, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Dan Goggin.

Photo: www.pro14rugby.org