Carter praises physical Saints

But the world's leading international points scorer's nine points ensured the Top 14 team kept a two point lead at the top of Pool Three, with a game in hand on the second placed Saints.

"I don't think we deserved to win, there were far too many mistakes. Because of those errors we couldn't get into the game.

"Credit to Northampton, though, they were a much different side to the one we played in Paris. There was a lot more physicality from them, they were a lot more direct, they put us under pressure and forced us into a lot of mistakes – it was pretty tough out there," Carter said.

It was the World Cup winner's second Champions Cup game and it was a fifth game in a row away from home that Racing 92 have either won or drawn. They still have to play Glasgow Warriors home and away and also have a home game against Scarlets.

Carter also admitted that he is settling in well in Paris and enjoying his new life away from his native New Zealand.

"Life just gets better and better each week. I'm still the new boy and all the practical jokes are on me, which keeps my feet firmly on the ground," he added.

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