Carter's Racing 92 Return Is Off

Dan Carter’s return to Racing 92 until the end of the season is off after the two-time Rugby World Cup winner failed a medical, it has been revealed. Carter signed to join his former club as a medical joker in mid-February as a replacement for retired Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie, who called time on his career following a series of concussions.

Following Racing’s 50-14 victory over La Rochelle on Saturday, the Paris-based club issued a short statement confirming that the former All Black would not be joining them after all.

“As part of routine medical checks prior to the approval of players’ licences, Racing 92 forwarded certain medical information to experts appointed by the Ligue National de Rugby (LNR). Their opinion was unanimous: Dan Carter will not be able to play rugby in France,” 

The decision means that Carter will miss the opportunity to add the final trophy missing from his collection, a European title. 

Carter joined Racing after helping New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup, and in 2016 guided the club to their first Top 14 title in 26 years and missed the opportunity to play Saracens in the Champions Cup final against Saracens through injury that same season. 

Before joining Kobelco Steelers in Japan, Carter missed Racing 92s Champions Cup final against Leinster through injury.