Leinster have broken Saracens’ stranglehold on the European Champions Cup following an outstanding 30-19 triumph at the Aviva Stadium.

Sarries had won this competition for the previous two years but the hosts produced an excellent second-half performance to reach the semi-finals, where they will take on the Scarlets.

The Irish province got off to a wonderful start when Garry Ringrose crossed the whitewash, but Sarries were impressive in the opening period and went into the break just one point in arrears.

Although Johnny Sexton kicked two penalties before the interval, the accuracy off the tee from Owen Farrell and Marcelo Bosch meant that the hosts had to settle for a 13-12 advantage.

Leinster then extended that buffer at the start of second-half through another Sexton three-pointer and Dan Leavy’s try before James Lowe touched down to secure their passage into the last four.

Blair Cowan went over for Saracens in the final quarter but mistakes prevented them from getting back into the match.

Irrespective of the visitors’ European struggles against Clermont, most expected this game to be tight, but Leo Cullen’s men were in fine form and began with the intention of moving the ball wide.

It immediately paid dividends after Lowe evaded a poor tackle from Liam Williams to scamper down the left. Isa Nacewa was in support and he had a simple two-on-one to send Ringrose across the whitewash for a superbly worked effort.

Unperturbed, the two-time defending European champions dominated the next 10 minutes, controlling possession and putting the opposition defensive line under pressure.

Mark McCall’s side earned two penalty opportunities and, despite having a quad issue earlier in the week, Farrell stepped up and slotted them both to reduce the deficit.

Leinster responded via the boot of Sexton but his opposite number scored a third penalty to maintain the one-point gap going into the latter stages of the half.

Just like the Clermont-Racing contest, it was an enthralling match and once again the teams traded penalties with the hosts’ stand-off initially taking them 13-9 in front. Sexton immediately undid that good work, however, by kicking the ball away as Sarries prepared to restart.

Referee Jerome Garces duly punished the indiscretion and Bosch was on target from long range to keep the visitors in the contest at the interval.

Despite being challenged by a fierce Saracens performance in the first-half, Leinster began the second 40 minutes superbly and Sexton rewarded their dominance with a penalty.

They then put together another excellent attack as James Ryan showed some deft hands to send Leavy through a hole close to the breakdown and the flanker finished under the posts.

Cullen’s outfit were well in control, with Ryan especially coming to the fore, and another crucial carry from the lock opened the space for Lowe to touch down.

The Londoners did get a try back via Cowan and they had an opportunity to close the gap further when Devin Toner was sin-binned, but Leinster deservedly went away with the victory.