They went into their final Pool game against Racing Metro at Thomond Park needing to win with at least four tries to knock-out the reigning champions Leinster from the second best runners-up spot.

They scored three tries in a blistering first-half to wipe out an early 3-0 deficit to lead 17-6 at the break. Then it was a question of the home crowd being patient and waiting for the bonus point score.

They didn't have to wait long as Simon Zebo became the hero as he completed his hat-trick within 15 minutes of the re-start to complete the job and add an extra one as well.

Munster still had to wait on the mathematical outcome of the game between Leicester Tigers and Toulouse in Pool 2 to be certain of their ticket to play No 1 seeds Harlequins in April, but as the gap grew and the tries flowed it became an increasingly difficult game for the Leinster players to watch.

Racing Metro came with only pride to play for and their cause was dealt a bitter blow when English referee Wayne Barnes dismissed their back row man Antoine Battut after a mere five minutes. The Racing man was visibly fired up and appeared to strike Tommy O'Donnell with the knee as tempers frayed.

Racing didn't let that set-back upset them and full back Gaetan Germain drew first blood with a penalty after 12 minutes. Munster didn't score in the first quarter but, as the pressure mounted, they notched three tries in 15 minutes before half-time to calm the nerves.

Scrum half Conor Murray drove over from close range, Zebo ran in his first and then hooker Mike Sherry converted another close-range line-out drive. That set-up a second-half hunt for one more try and a march to victory.

Zebo's second and third tries made the bonus point and victory safe and meant the champions were relegated to the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals. All that was left was for the nervy wait to see if Leicester Tigers could beat Toulouse and the Frenchmen could pick up two points in defeat by scoring four or more tries and finish within seven points.