Racing's Machenaud out of European Champions Cup final

Racing 92 will be without scrum-half Maxime Machenaud for the European Champions Cup final after the France international was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Machenaud ruptured the cruciate ligaments in his knee in the 41st minute of Sunday's Top 14 victory over Bordeaux-Begles, the 29-year-old having to watch from the sidelines as Racing completed a bonus-point 39-15 win.

That victory keeps Racing on course for a top-two spot in the league, while they have the Champions Cup final with Leinster on May 12 in Bilbao.

Machenaud will miss the showpiece, though, as well as the run-in as he prepares for a lengthy absence.

"Very sad to have to announce that the season ends for me," he posted on Instagram.

Très triste d'avoir à vous annoncer que la saison se termine pour moi. Victime d'une rupture totale des ligaments croisés, je vais devoir rester éloigné des terrains quelques temps. Je sais que je suis très bien entouré, ma famille et mes amis sauront m'épauler au mieux. Je ne lâcherai mon rêve de gosse pour rien au monde et je reviendrai + fort pour atteindre mon objectif ultime de 2019.  Toujours le premier supporter de mes frères du @racing92 pour aller chercher cette étoile et finir la saison comme il se doit !  

A post shared by Maxime Machenaud (@maxmachenaud) on Apr 29, 2018 at 1:06pm PDT

"[I am the] victim of a total rupture of the cruciate ligaments, I will have to remain away from the pitch some time. 

"I know that I am very well surrounded, my family and my friends will know how to support me. 

"I will not let go of my childhood dream for anything in the world and I will come back stronger to reach my ultimate goal in 2019.

"I will always be the first supporter of my brothers of Racing 92 to get this star [for winning the European crown] and finish the season as it should!"