Racing 92 take on Saracens for European Champions Cup glory

Dan Carter, the 34-year-old master, against Owen Farrell, the 24-year-old apprentice, will be one of the plethora of subplots when Racing 92 take on Saracens in the European Champions Cup final on Saturday at the Grand Stade in Lyon. 

Rugby world Cup winner Dan Carter is trying to add the European Champions Cup to his trophy cabinet. Reuters/Henry Browne

Carter, in the twilight of a glittering career, has established his status as the world's best fly-half with an otherworldly ability to remain calm in the heat of the melee.

Racing will need the full well of Carter's famed sang-froid ability from the kick-off. Farrell is building his game around relentless combativity.

"He loves getting in amongst us," said Carter on the eve of the clash. "I really like his competitive nature, the way that he gets stuck in. He's not the biggest guy but he's extremely physical and he works extremely hard to help his team get the win.

"That's what you want from your teammates, it's that competitive nature and he definitely has that."

Racing's assistant coach, Ronan O'Gara, endorsed Carter's accolade.

"Farrell is the most improved player in Britain and Ireland over the last six months. He's a big threat now," said the former Ireland fly-half.

During 112 matches for New Zealand's All Blacks, Carter amassed 1,598 points to make him Test rugby's highest points scorer. There were also two World Cup winners medals.

The final 19 came during the 2015 rugby World Cup final against Australia at Twickenham.

The tournament was a catastrophe for England who failed to reach the last eight for the first time since the competition was created in 1987. They also have to bear the infamy of becoming the first host nation not to survive the group stages.

Farrell was part of Stuart Lancaster's England side that played so ineptly. But the fly-half has been in scintillating form for his club side.

"Farrell is an outstanding goal kicker and has punished Racing on a few occasions in the past with his accurate goal kicking," said Carter. "I'm sure kicking will be an important part of his game as well. There're plenty of attributes to like about Owen."

The Saracens playmaker was at pains to cool talk of turning out against one of rugby's all time greats. Farrell concedes that he admires Carter's calm and control. "He's been there and done it so many times."

He added: "People talked about whether Carter could do it or not going into the World Cup. It's just how calm he is, how much he is in control of what he does that stands out. Trying to be calmer on the pitch, it's definitely something I'm always trying to do.

"The more you're calm, the more you're in control and the more you're thinking about the right things. That's definitely something I've taken into account."