HEINEKEN CUP POOL 3 Biarritz (10) 32 Tries: Brusque 2, Marlu, Couzinet, Betson Cons: Yachvili 2 Pens: Yachvili Leinster (7) 21 Tries: penalty try, Dempsey, Gleeson Cons: O'Meara, Dempsey 2

Biarritz claimed the top spot in Pool Three with a stunning five-try performance against Leinster.

The result meant the Irish province failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in three years.

Full-back Nicolas Brusque helped himself to two touchdowns in the first half and at one stage in the second period Biarritz were 32-7 ahead.

However, Leinster achieved some respectability with late tries from Girvan Dempsey and Keith Gleeson.

French international Brusque crossed for his first try 11 minutes into the game, beating the tackles of Brian O'Meara and John McWeeney.

You can't afford to assist French sides in their tries Leinster coach Gary Ella

The visitors should have been level two minutes later - but following a hat-trick of hacks forward by wing Brendan Burke, McWeeney failed to touch down with the line in sight.

But Biarritz, devastating in open play, sent Brusque over for his second on 31 minutes - after an unforced error from O'Meara saw his midfield kick picked up by Brusque who blitzed through to score.

O'Meara turned hero three minutes before the break as his incision saw Welsh referee Nigel Williams award a penalty try.

But all Leinster's good work was undone two minutes into the second half when McWeeney erred to let left-wing Jimmy Marlu over for Dmitri Yachvili to convert for a 17-7 lead.

Even though I'm supporting Munster it's a shame to see Leinster go out From Matt Hilary Have your say on TMS

Crucially Lions' second row Ben Gissing was sin-binned within sight of the hour mark, and with Leinster down to 14 men Biarritz cut loose.

David Couzinet picked off their fourth try for a deserved bonus point before man-of-the-match Serge Betsen rounded Burke for their fifth.

Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey collected a consolation nine minutes from the end, converting his own score from the touchline and then flanker Keith Gleeson's in injury time.

Biarritz: Brusque, Bidabe, Stcherbina, Isaac, Marlu, Peyrelongue, Yachvili, Balan, Gonzales, Avril, Manent, Couzinet, Betsen, T. Lievremont, Tonita.
Replacements: Minassian, Fitzgerald, Puleoto, Milheres, Mazas, Gaitan, Bernat-Salles.

Leinster: Dempsey, McWeeney, D'Arcy, Horgan, Burke, Warner, O'Meara, Corrigan, S. Byrne, Coyle, O'Kelly, Gissing, McCullen, Gleeson, Costello.
Replacements: Bohan, G. Hickie, Kearney, Jennings, O'Riordan, Leek, Quinlan.

Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales).