Biarritz blitzed Edinburgh as the Scots' miserable form in the Heineken Cup continued.

But it was English club Bath who secured qualification to the quarter-finals from the section after their 24-12 win over Swansea in Wales.

The win for Biarritz lifted the French above Swansea.

Edinburgh had recently enjoyed a resurgence of form thanks to the introduction of former New Zealand internationals Todd Blackadder and Brendan Laney.

They grabbed two second-half tries, but their French hosts played some irresistible rugby.

But there was no way back for Edinburgh after Biarritz claimed two early tries of their own.

The first came after just three minutes through Olivier Nauroy.

Chris Paterson was stopped just short of the French line and Biarritz made the most of their reprieve by adding another try of their own in the 11th minute.

Centre Guillaume Bousses cruised through from 20 metres without a marker laying a finger on him.

The home side manufactured a third score in stoppage time, Bousses' chip bouncing wickedly behind the line to allow Jean-Emmanuel Cassin to pounce.

Hodge was sinbinned early in the second half and, within seconds, substitute centre Jack Isaac dashed under the crossbar for home try number four.

Edinburgh got off the mark midway through the second half with a touchdown from Derrick Lee, goaled by Hodge immediately after his return to the field.

But any prospect of a dramatic fightback was ruled out when Thomas Lievremont went over for Biarritz, Laurent Mazas keeping his 100% record with the boot.

Hodge then converted a penalty try for the Gunners, only for Didier Chouchan and Nic Brusque to score at the other end.

Biarritz: Brusque, Bernat-Salles, Cassin, Bousses, Bidabe, Mazas, Bonnet, Fitzgerald, Gonzales, Avril, Nauroy, Roumat, Betsen, M. Lievremont, T. Lievremont.

Edinburgh: Lee, Murray, Di Rollo, Utterson, Paterson, Hodge, Burns, Jacobsen, Scott, Smith, Jolly, Hines, A. Dall, Leslie, S. Taylor.

Referee: M Watkins (Wales).