Brendan Macken’s early try set the tone as a rampant Leinster held off a spirited second-half showing to down Scarlets 36-19.

A penalty try and a Jack McGrath score followed in quick succession after Macken dived over, as Ian Madigan added 11 points in a fine showing from the tee.

Scarlets threatened to mount a comeback after the interval – Gareth Davies and Gareth Maule touching down for the visitors – but Leinster secured both the win and a bonus point with Eoin Reddan’s effort.

Zane Kirchner added the gloss late on, before the visitors secured another consolation try through Adam Warren.

Scarlets welcomed Scotland flanker John Barclay back into the fray, while five Ireland players – returning after an agonising defeat at the hands of New Zealand last week – bolstered reigning champions Leinster’s starting line-up.

Leinster were in formidable form having won their last five matches in all competitions, but Scarlets enjoyed a bout of early pressure at the RDS.

However, following a knock-on by the Welsh region eight minutes in, Madigan had the opportunity to drill a penalty between the posts – and duly delivered.

And it was Leinster who were successful in turning the screw again moments later as Macken got on the end of a sweeping move to touch down, but the match continued to fizz at a high tempo.

Leinster’s quick scores had rattled Scarlets however and they looked like buckling under more pressure as livewire Kirchner crashed over in the corner.

The TMO adjudged that the ball had been held up short of the try-line – but it didn’t take long for Leinster to be awarded a penalty try for their troubles after tormenting Scarlets’ defensive line just shy of the whitewash.

Madigan kicked over the extras before McGrath capped his dream November – after receiving full international honours with Ireland – to drive over under the posts in the 27^th minute, Madigan stepping up with a successful conversion once more.

With a Leo Cullen sin bin just before the break Scarlets had a chance to rack up their first points of the night, but monstrous defending from the hosts ensured the Welsh outfit suffered a first-half shut-out.

At 22-0 it was going to take a mammoth effort for Simon Easterby’s side to drag themselves back in it – and they did make their man advantage count early in the second half.

Scrum-half Davies bundled through Leinster lines to dot down though the much-needed conversion was skewed wide.

However, the sirens were well and truly sounding for Leinster after breathtaking backs play from Scarlets secured a second try in the 58^th minute.

Replacement Jordan Williams pulled off a fantastic break from his own 22 and after a flurry of pretty passes Gareth Maule stormed over, with Aled Thomas making no mistake with the conversion.

The reigning champions were not to be outdone however and bagged their bonus point in style on the hour-mark as Reddan squeezed through in the corner.

Madigan nailed a troublesome conversion and though Scarlets probed away for an opening, man of the match Kirchner rounded off a special Saturday night for Matt O’Connor’s men with a thrilling try, despite Warren’s late score.

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