Carter off target on top 14 debut

Dan Carter struggled in his first Top 14 match for Perpignan, missing four penalties in the Catalans’ 16-9 victory over Castres today.

The New Zealand fly-half kicked two first-half penalties but was off target with four in a row in the space of 17 minutes at the start of the second period.

Substitute Jerome Porical took over kicking duties in the final 15 minutes, kicking a penalty and a converting a try he scored himself to guide Perpignan to a hard-fought victory.

Carter, who has just started a seven-month stint with USAP, made his debut for the French club last weekend in their Heineken Cup win over Leicester Tigers at the Stade Aime-Giral.