THE Scarlets' miserable Heineken Cup campaign continued at Dublin's RDS Showground, but head coach Simon Easterby will take heart with the way his side stuck to their task against a Leinster side back to their brilliant best.
In front of a full house of 18,200, the defending champions ran in five tries to maintain their hopes of quarter-final qualification going into the final round of the pool stages, while the Scarlets host Clermont Auvergne next Saturday staring at a second whitewash in five years.
In the face of an often relentless assault from the home side, the West Walians put in a huge amount of work in defence, epitomised by Tongan Sioni Timani and claimed a well-worked try from full-back Liam Williams on the stroke of half-time.
But ultimately, they lacked the quality of a Leinster side oozing international pedigree.
The Scarlets had taken the lead thanks to a third-minute penalty from fly-half Aled Thomas.
But Leinster served notice of their intent when they turned down a kickable attempt at goal to opt for an attacking line-out.
Their reward was a ninth-minute try for prop Cian Healy, converted by Sexton.
A snap drop goal from full-back Williams reduced the deficit to a point, but it was a brief respite from a ferocious first-half onslaught.
Another Scarlets infringement led to another close-range line-out and ultimately a second Leinster try, with flanker Shane Jennings emerging for the touchdown.
The home side were looking more like the team that lifted the trophy at Twickenham last May with their set-piece dominating and backs running some scintillating angles.
The third try arrived after the Scarlets had lost a defensive scrum in the shadow of their home posts with man of the match Luke Fitzgerald diving over in the corner after the Scarlets defensive line had been stretched.
However, after being on the rack for the majority of the half, the Scarlets hit back with a try of their own right on half-time.
Good continuity from the forwards took play into the Leinster 22 and great vision from Scott Williams saw him kick deftly to the corner where full-back Liam Williams was waiting to gather and dive over unopposed.
The Scarlets would have gone into the changing rooms energised by that score, but normal service was resumed three minutes after the restart when another of Leinster's Lions Rob Kearney twisted over from an attacking scrum move.
Sexton's simple conversion made it 26-11 and it was all about how many after that.
To their credit, the Scarlets continued to throw everything into defensive duties with Thomas reducing the arrears with a penalty.
But Leinster had the final word two minutes from time with a fine solo score from replacement Ian Madigan.
In front of a full house of 18,200, the defending champions ran in five tries to maintain their hopes of quarter-final qualification going into the final round of the pool stages, while the Scarlets host Clermont Auvergne next Saturday staring at a second whitewash in five years.
In the face of an often relentless assault from the home side, the West Walians put in a huge amount of work in defence, epitomised by Tongan Sioni Timani and claimed a well-worked try from full-back Liam Williams on the stroke of half-time.
But ultimately, they lacked the quality of a Leinster side oozing international pedigree.
The Scarlets had taken the lead thanks to a third-minute penalty from fly-half Aled Thomas.
But Leinster served notice of their intent when they turned down a kickable attempt at goal to opt for an attacking line-out.
Their reward was a ninth-minute try for prop Cian Healy, converted by Sexton.
A snap drop goal from full-back Williams reduced the deficit to a point, but it was a brief respite from a ferocious first-half onslaught.
Another Scarlets infringement led to another close-range line-out and ultimately a second Leinster try, with flanker Shane Jennings emerging for the touchdown.
The home side were looking more like the team that lifted the trophy at Twickenham last May with their set-piece dominating and backs running some scintillating angles.
The third try arrived after the Scarlets had lost a defensive scrum in the shadow of their home posts with man of the match Luke Fitzgerald diving over in the corner after the Scarlets defensive line had been stretched.
However, after being on the rack for the majority of the half, the Scarlets hit back with a try of their own right on half-time.
Good continuity from the forwards took play into the Leinster 22 and great vision from Scott Williams saw him kick deftly to the corner where full-back Liam Williams was waiting to gather and dive over unopposed.
The Scarlets would have gone into the changing rooms energised by that score, but normal service was resumed three minutes after the restart when another of Leinster's Lions Rob Kearney twisted over from an attacking scrum move.
Sexton's simple conversion made it 26-11 and it was all about how many after that.
To their credit, the Scarlets continued to throw everything into defensive duties with Thomas reducing the arrears with a penalty.
But Leinster had the final word two minutes from time with a fine solo score from replacement Ian Madigan.