Conan scores hat-trick as Leinster seal European Champions Cup quarter-final spot

Leinster 57-3 Montpellier, RDS Arena
Scorecard

An eight-try performance from Leinster saw them demolish Montpellier by 57-3, making them the first team to secure a berth in the quarter-final of the European Champions Cup 2016-17 season.

After the first 13 minutes went without a point being scored, fullback Isa Nacewa started the proceedings with a 14th minute try for Leinster and five minutes later, flanker Jack Conan scored the first of his three tries. Ireland international Johnny Sexton was spot on in adding the extras on both occasions.

Montpellier was dealt a serious blow when their fly-half Frans Steyn was red-carded in the 26th minute following a high tackle on Sexton and this was capitalised by Leinster wing Adam Byrne and replacement fly-half Ross Byrne kicked a conversion and a penalty to take the home team to a 21-point lead at the end of the first half.

Conan extended Leinster's dominance into the second half and secured the bonus point with his try in the 54th minute.

Luke McGrath (63'), Cian Healy (67') followed by Conan's third try took them to 50 points and Garry Ringrose signed off a fantastic game for Leinster after rumbling past the post in the final 10 minutes to complete a massive 54-point win for Leo Cullen's men.

With 21 points from five matches, Leinster have qualified to the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup and Montpellier will have to battle it out with the third placed Castres.