The best of the RaboDirect PRO12: Play-off semi-finals

Leinster and Glasgow Warriors will meet in the RaboDirect PRO12 Final after they each crept through the last four in the tightest fashion.

Gregor Townsend's Warriors kicked off proceedings on Friday night by collecting their ninth straight win in the competition to extend their own club record and reach a maiden RaboDirect PRO12 final.

However, the Scottish outfit did not do it the easy way, welcoming Munster to Scotstoun and treating a sell-out crowd to a nail-biting encounter.

After Munster skipper Damien Varley grabbed the game's first try, Glasgow fly-half Finn Russell kicked the hosts back into it.

Replacement Gordon Reid dotted down only for Sean Dougall to hit back for the Munstermen but, despite Irish pressure late on, the Warriors held on.

In the other semi-final, table-toppers and reigning RaboDirect PRO12 champions Leinster came from behind in an all-Irish clash to set up an RDS Final.

Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson kicked visitors Ulster into a 9-0 lead but two Jimmy Gopperth penalties reduced the arrears after the break.

And replacement Ian Madigan struck the decisive blow eight minutes from time to send the Leinstermen into a fifth straight final.

Matt O'Connor's side will now host Glasgow in Dublin on May 31 in search of back-to-back titles.

TRY OF THE WEEKEND
Madigan's match-winning score was arguably the most important of the weekend and certainly the most eye-catching.
After Leinster burrowed their way into the visitors' 22, Eoin Reddan fed Gopperth and with Madigan piling forward from the centres a neat offload saw him crash through and win the game.
The 25-year-old was swamped by teammates and Gopperth duly converted to ensure the gap was four points and the game was theirs.

BREAK OF THE WEEKEND
Munster got off to a flyer in Glasgow and Varley's early try was a product of some powerful running from centre James Downey.
In a game built on rock-solid defence Downey's early break was one of few and laid the foundations for a series of powerful phases and, eventually, the game's opening score.

PLAY OF THE WEEKEND
It didn't matter in the end but Simon Zebo underlined Munster's determination right until the final whistle on Friday just when they looked to have handed the game to Glasgow.
As Rob Penney's side went in search of a late winner a loose pass in midfield was sharply snapped up by Warriors winger Tommy Seymour.
Streaking clear down the left, he looked certain to cement the result but Zebo showed electric pace to reel him in and bring him down ten yards short.

PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND
In a dogged display at Scotstoun on Friday night Glasgow reached their first ever RaboDirect PRO12 final and Jonny Gray was at the heart of it.
The Scotland second row, recently crowned RaboDirect PRO12 Young Player of the Year, combined brilliantly with captain Al Kellock all evening.
And while the Glasgow back line produced a string of vital tackles to preserve the result late on, it was Gray and co who laid the foundations for a gutsy win.

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