Leinster cantered into the Champions Cup final with a comprehensive 38-16 defeat of the Scarlets at the Aviva Stadium.

The three-time European champions dominated the contest from virtually the first minute as they racked up five tries in the Dublin sunshine.

James Ryan, Cian Healy, Fergus McFadden, Scott Fardy and Johnny Sexton all touched down for the hosts who will play either Racing 92 or Munster in Bilbao on May 12.

Leigh Halfpenny's three first-half penalties and a late consolation try from Tadhg Beirne were all the visitors had to show for a disappointing afternoon in which their hopes of becoming Wales' first representative in a European Cup final since Cardiff in 1996 fell flat.

It was Halfpenny and the Scarlets who struck first at the Aviva Stadium, but any hopes that the west Walians could repeat their away victory over Leinster in last season's PRO12 semifinals quickly evaporated.

Leinster created an overlap on the right wing from an attacking scrum, and after Rhys Patchell had done well to stop McFadden the ball was recycled for Ryan to score.

Referee Romain Poite checked with his TMO to make sure the Ireland lock -- who is yet to taste defeat as a professional -- had not committed a double movement, but happy he had not raised his arm to signal the try.

The hosts had wind in their sails and after Halfpenny and Sexton had traded penalties, Healy crashed over from close range following good work from McFadden and Dan Leavy.

Halfpenny's third three-pointer narrowed the Scarlets' deficit once again, but on the stroke of half time the momentum turned decisively Leinster's way.

McFadden had been involved in both of the hosts' opening two tries and he got his name on the scoresheet as he outstripped the Scarlets defence to score in the right corner.

The experienced wing took a knock from Steff Evans as he touched down, and was forced off at the break, but Jordan Larmour's introduction ensured that there was no let up from the team in blue.

It was the Ireland youngster who stripped Patchell on the Scarlets 22 to set up Leinster's fourth try, which was finished off well by Fardy following another telling contribution from Ryan.

There was still half an hour on the clock, and 10 minutes later things got even better for the hosts as Sexton stepped his way over from close range.

It was the veteran fly-half's last contribution, and to the Scarlets' credit the visitors refused to let their heads drop.

Ultimately, it was the PRO12 champions who had the last say as Beirne evaded a Fardy tackle to complete the scoring. It was far too little, far too late to have any bearing on the outcome though and Leinster will travel to Bilbao next month full of confidence that they can secure a fourth European Cup triumph.