BBC Sport - Amlin Challenge Cup: Leinster 44-16 Biarritz Leinster (24) 44 Tries: Heaslip 2, Sexton, Nacewa, O'Driscoll Cons: Sexton 3, Madigan 2 Pens: Sexton 2, Madigan Biarritz (9) 16 Tries: Heguy Cons: Yachvili Pens: Yachvili 3 Leinster will return to their own RDS ground for an Amlin Challenge Cup final against Stade Francais after thrashing defending champions Biarritz. A brace of tries from Jamie Heaslip and a Jonny Sexton score helped Leinster into a 24-9 half-time lead, Biarritz replying via Dimitri Yachvili's boot. Isa Nacewa claimed a fourth try for last year's Heineken Cup champions. Brian O'Driscoll added a fifth before Arnaud Heguy's reply but the hosts had long since booked a 17 May final berth. It was a superb all-round performance from the 2012 European champions, who have been been below their best this season and exited the Heineken Cup in the group stages, dropping them into the second-tier Challenge Cup. For the first 37 minutes it was an even contest, with Leinster looking to go wide at every opportunity while Biarritz preferred to attack much closer to the ruck through their giant forwards. But a quick-fire double from the hosts just before the break was decisive and they were in a class of their own in the second half. Ireland captain Heaslip has not been at his best this year but he had a storming game with ball in hand in front of Lions forwards coach Graham Rowntree. And the number eight scored the opener for the hosts after Devin Toner's skill at a line-out sent Nacewa racing through a gap before the Fijian sent the supporting Heaslip striding over. Sexton was denied the chance to quickly add a second score after United States winger Takudzwa Ngwenya ran him down and produced a brilliant tackle to hold the ball up over the line. And it was indicative of the game that the Zimbabwe-born Ngwenya, a dazzling runner with ball in hand, was seen far more in defence than attack in Dublin. After Leinster's opening blitz Biarritz managed to establish themselves in the game through some powerful carries from their massive pack. That gave Yachvili the chance to land his hat-trick of penalties, to one from Sexton, and with half-time approaching the defending champions only trailed by a point. It was poor reward for Leinster's attacking intent but they rectified matters with the interval looming. Sexton claimed the first score, popping up on Kearney's shoulder to finish off a crisp move from a line-out, before Sexton rampaged over from 20 metres after pouncing on a Biarritz handling error. Sexton, many pundits' favourite to be the Lions fly-half in Australia, converted both scores and Leinster were on their way. Biarritz needed to start the second half quickly to have any chance but Yachvili missed an early penalty and although Ngwenya saved a second try by once again demonstrating his startling pace, this time running down Ian Madigan, the Catalan side's chance had gone. O'Driscoll's turnover set up the opportunity for Sexton and Nacewa to produce a delightful one-two for the Fijian to score, and Ireland legend O'Driscoll scooted over himself to make it five after yet another searing attack. With Sexton, only recently returned from injury, having taken a well-earned rest, Madigan took over kicking duties and performed with aplomb to stretch the margin to 35 points. Biarritz managed to give the scoreline a slightly more respectable look as hooker Heguy continued his fine try-scoring form. But their hold on the title was by now no more than a distant memory and three-time Heineken Cup champions Leinster, with the final taking place on home turf, will hope to add yet more European silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet next month - albeit not in the competition they had in mind at the start of the season. Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, I Madigan, I Nacewa; J Sexton, I Boss, C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (capt), D Toner, K McLaughlin, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, J Hagan, Q Roux, R Ruddock, J Cooney, A Goodman, A Conway. Biarritz: M Bosch; T Ngwenya, B Baby, D Traille, A Brew; JP Barraque, D Yachvili; T Scnaeghel, A Heguy, B Broster; E Lund, P Taele; T Dubarry, R Lakafia, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: B August, E Van Staden, F Gomez Kodela, M Marie, W Lauret, Y Lesgourgues, S Burotu, T Thomas. Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)