Blow for Racing as injured Carter ruled out of Champions Cup final

Racing 92 star Dan Carter has been forced to pull out of the European Champions Cup final against Leinster with a hamstring injury.

The former New Zealand international was originally named on the bench for the clash in Bilbao on Saturday – with Pat Lambie preferred at fly-half – but the 36-year-old will now miss the match entirely with Remi Tales taking his place in the squad.

Carter’s Racing career could well now be over, with the legendary All Black set to depart for Kobelco Steelers at the end of the season.

He has been limited to a back-up role of late and faces a race against time to return and play a role for his side in the Top 14 play-offs, Racing having finished second to set up a semi-final against either Toulouse or Castres.

LATE CHANGE: Dan Carter has been ruled out of today’s Champions Cup final due to a hamstring injury. Rémi Talès replaces him on @Racing92’s bench. #ChampionsCup #Bilbao2018 pic.twitter.com/6H7nUfgYyt

— Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 12, 2018

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