Carter: ‘Result was about pride’

Editor

Racing 92 might not have been able to make the knockout stages with Saturday’s win over Leicester but Dan Carter was proud of their performance nonetheless.

Last season’s finalists didn’t have a single point to their name after the first four rounds of the competition after four defeats, but they tore apart Leicester Tigers at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in the one-sided victory.

Carter was reinstalled to the starting line-up after coming off the bench the previous weekend against Munster and the all-time leading international points scorer kicked three conversions and a penalty as Racing ran in five tries.

Speaking about their European campaign up until Saturday’s game, Carter admitted the previous four defeats had been a painful experience, and that the win over Leicester was one for the club’s supporters.

“We’ve been hurt by our performances in the European Cup and even though we didn’t have a lot to play for in terms of points and play-off spots, we had a lot to play for in terms of pride,” Carter said.

“We’re pretty pleased to get a performance like that and not finish with zero points.

“It’s a happy bunch of guys and it’s an opportunity to thank our fans for turning up week in, week out.

“Tonight they got the sort of performance we’re capable of.”

Racing will round off their campaign by travelling to Thomond Park next weekend to face pool winners Munster.