Carter to start for Racing in Euro debut

Paris - New Zealand star Dan Carter will start at flyhalf for his Racing 92 debut in the European Champions Cup against Northampton on Saturday.

The 33-year-old, who arrived in Paris on November 27 almost a month after helping the All Blacks win a second consecutive World Cup, will play outside former Wales scrum-half Mike Philipps in Racing's half-back pairing.

Racing, who won their only Pool 3 game so far 29-12 at Scarlets, host the English group leaders at their Yves-du-Manoir stadium in the Parisian suburbs.

Saints won both their opening two matches, beating Scarlets 15-11 at home before winning 26-15 at Glasgow.

Carter, the record points scorer in international rugby with 1 598 points from 112 caps, won a third World Player of the Year title after the World Cup.

He is in competition for the starting role in the No 10 jersey at Racing with France international Remi Tales and South African Johan Goosen, who starts on the bench against Saints.