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Racing's Machenaud out of European Champions Cup final
By Alex Fisher
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.
"[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!"
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Latest Comments
Well it's a bit disappointing injury hasn't been as much of a selector as I'd hoped for the AB's this weekend.
At least week got ALB in there and they made the call to let Ratima concentrate on building for another go next year already. Upgrades in both positions for me though I'd like it the otherway round, to not be.
Happy for Patrick to earn his start this week, along with EDG.
Mo'unga, please come back home ASAP, we need saving as I'm not sure Razor knows that his captain, Ardie, and Reiko have literally played every test this year, and we can all see he's given you the big desperate PLEASE with these selections.
Go to commentsWhat you say is true, but it's a new coach with a different structure and cohesiveness takes time. To be honest, despite the losses, the AB's looked more dangerous this year and more exciting.
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