Defending champions Leinster out at pool stage

Racing Metro react at the final whistle against Munster during the European Cup rugby union match between Racing Metro and Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick, Ireland on January 20, 2013. Munster won 29-6. A

PARIS - Two-time defending champions Leinster exited this season’s European Cup at the pool stage on Sunday, becoming the first champions to exit at such an early stage since Wasps in 2008.

Leinster – who have won three of the last four European Cups – had their fate sealed when fellow Irish province Munster beat Racing-Metro 29-6 in Limerick to deny them one of the two best runners-up spots available for the quarter-finals.

Munster finished level on points with Leinster but edge them on tries scored.

Montpellier are guaranteed one of the two runners-up spots and Munster will join them depending on the result of the game later on Sunday between two-time winners Leicester and four-time champions Toulouse.