Carter enjoys start to Heineken career

The All Blacks outside-half kicked 16 points on his first appearance following his high-profile transfer to the French giants to clinch victory in the Heineken Cup clash.

Flanker Gerrie Britz scored twice as Perpignan inflicted a first defeat of the campaign over Leicester to keep their own European hopes alive.

Carter said: "I'm pleased to have got the first game out of the way. I did feel the extra pressure but the supporters were fantastic and I'm only pleased that I was playing for Perpignan and not Leicester.

"I'm pleased the way the game went. I thought our defence worked well most of the game though we're disappointed that Leicester were able to cut our lines a few times.

"I was very pleased that our combinations worked well after just one week together to prepare. It was satisfying that things worked well, though I was disappointed to miss two kicks. I'm just grateful that they were not crucial to the result of the game.

"To have come and beat a team of the quality of Leicester in my first game in Europe was a great start.

"The game was very similar to what I am used to in Super14. The standard was just as high thought the conditions were much wetter than normal for me so it was pretty slippery out there."

All eyes were on Carter who kicked six from eight, including converting both of Fritz's tries in each half, though he was fortunate to escape injury after being up-ended by England scrum-half Harry Ellis late on.

Carter said: "I wasn't injured at all, but it was a bit scary when you find yourself in that position and you have no control over how you're going to land. I was relieved no to be injured."

Tom Croft and Scott Hamilton went over either side of half-time and Toby Flood kicked a perfect four from four as Leicester threatened to spoil the party before leaving with the consolation of a losing bonus point.

That leaves them second to the Ospreys on points-difference after drawing level on points and try count.
Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss said: "It was a very close game and there were a couple of decisions here and fumbles there which could easily have made the difference.

"It would have been easy for us to role over in this game and let Perpignan score four tries. But we're not too far away from getting the results in Europe and we came away with a narrow defeat and a bonus point.

"These are the games you learn from, especially for the younger players. It was a great experience for all of us."