Carter can't wait for Leicester clash

New Zealand star Daniel Carter today took part in his first training session with French side Perpignan.

The All Blacks fly-half trained for an hour and a half with the members of the USAP squad who did not play a part in Saturday’s 38-27 defeat to Leicester in the Heineken Cup.

Carter, who has signed a seven-month contract with the Catalan club, then made his way to the city’s town hall where he was welcomed by mayor Jean-Paul Alduy.

A spectator in the stands at Welford Road at the weekend, Carter is set to make his much-anticipated debut for Perpignan on Sunday in the return fixture against the Tigers.

Carter, in his first major interview with the French media, told television station France 2 that he hoped to become a better all-round player by the time his short-term stint with USAP comes to an end next summer.

“Obviously there are the goals of winning the Top 14 and getting to the latter stages of the Heineken Cup,” he said.

“Those are the team goals, but personally I want to improve my rugby and playing in a competition I am not used to is really going to challenge me.

“Hopefully I will become a better player with this experience.

“I saw the game (against Leicester) and got a bit of the taste of the style of rugby we play and I’m looking forward to being a part of it next weekend.

“Playing in the Heineken Cup was a big part of my decision. My first match will be in that competition and I can’t wait.”