Munster have beaten 14 man Racing Metro 29 - 6 at Thomond Park to all but book a place in the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup as a one of the best runners up.

Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Mike Sherry all touched down in the first half and Zebo secured the bonus point seven minutes into the second half with the all important fourth try.

The Ireland International completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute.

Antoine Batut was shown a red card for Racing after only five minutes for a knee on a Munster player.

Munster's bonus point win means defending champions Leinster are out of the tournament and they go into the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Rob Penney's men will have to wait for the Leicester and Toulose game to finish before they can celebrate a place in the last eight.

The only result that would send Munster out is if Toulose are beaten with two losing bonus points.

And as things stand Munster will be away to Harlequins in the quarter finals.

Ulster won't have a home tie after Saracens beat Edinburgh by 40 points to 7 with a bonus point.

©INPHO/Billy Stickland