Racing 92 fly-half Dan Carter has been ruled out of the Champions Cup final with a hamstring injury.
The All Blacks legend was the due to start the game against Leinster in Bilbao on the bench, but the Parisians -- who are were already missing scrum-half Maxime Machenaud -- have been forced into a late change with Remi Tales taking his place in the matchday 23.
Saturday's showpiece match at the San Mames Stadium was due to be Carter's final outing in the blue and white of Racing before he heads to Japan.
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
His injury means he will not have the opportunity to sign off with a playing contribution, however. Carter's last Racing appearance came in a 39-15 win at Bordeaux on April 29.
The Rugby World Cup-winner had spoken at length in the build-up to Saturday's match about his desire to leave France with a Champions Cup-winner's medal hanging from his neck.
"This is pretty much our last game together as a group," Carter's Racing teammate Joe Rokocoko said this week. "It would be a great fairy tale for all of us if the result goes our way."
