Carter out, Goosen in Racing's opener

Carter, who has made headlines after a positive test for corticosteroids, will miss their opening European Cup match against Munster on Sunday.

The All Black veteran has failed to recover from a calf injury sustained against Castres at the end of September which has seen him miss Racing's last two Top 14 games.

Last year's Top 14 player of the season Goosen will start at flyhalf fresh from turning out for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.  Earlier this week, the talented Goosen, who can operate at fullback, centre and flyhalf, beat out the New Zealand star and teammate Carter and the Fijian Josua Tuisova of Toulon - to take the honour at the "Nuit De Rugby" (Night of Rugby).

Carter, along with fellow All Black Joe Rokocoko and Argentina winger Juan Imhoff, tested positive for corticosteroids following last season's Top 14 final in which Racing beat Toulon 29-21, Carter and Rokocoko contributing 20 points between them.

The trio were interviewed by French Rugby anti-doping chiefs on Wednesday, with that panel to decide whether or not the players, and Racing, have broken any rules.

Both Rokocoko and Imhoff were named in the starting 15 for the home game against Munster.

Centre Henry Chavancy, sidelined with injury since early September, makes his return for last season's beaten European finalists, while tyro Camille Chat replaces skipper Dimitri Szarzewski, himself injured, at hooker.

Source: Agence France-Presse