Racing lose skipper for Champions Cup cruncher

The 33-year-old said he had been ruled out for up to six weeks, meaning he will miss not only the last-four clash against the Tigers in Nottingham on April 24, but also four Top 14 matches including crunch games against Toulouse (April 16) and league leaders Clermont (April 30).

Szarzewski started at hooker for Racing in their nail-biting 19-16 Champions Cup quarter-final victory over three-time defending champions Toulon on Sunday, but was forced off the field after 24 minutes.

In the Top 14, Racing sit third on 64 points, six behind Clermont and level with Montpellier.

Agence France-Presse