Former All Black superstar Dan Carter and hometown hero Matt Worley headline a strong Racing 92 touring side for Saturday’s Natixis Cup clash with the Cell C Sharks at Aberdeen (kick-off at 4.00pm).

Racing 92 will be looking to continue the impressive form that sees them presently sitting third on the Top 14 table, even if they are missing some of their France internationals due to the start of the Six Nations this weekend.

Racing are also without their talismanic hooker and captain, “the Tsar” Dimitri Szarzewski, selected 83 times for France and a member of the Six Nations grand slam winning squad in 2010, who is injured but has made the trip to Hong Kong this week, having appeared in the last three Natixis Cups here.

The hooker, who was injured in a recent match against Castres, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming match saying, “It’s a friendly so it’s different, in France we play a lot, the season is very long. It’s nice to cut the season and to play this kind of game, because we don’t have the pressure, we can play more open rugby as the result is not as important. We can try a lot of things. We can play a lot and do a lot of passing.”

World Cup–winner Carter also returns to Hong Kong after suiting up for Racing in their last appearance here in 2016.

“It’s good to be back, said Carter. “I’ve been here a few times playing and obviously for the Hong Kong Sevens so I got to experience that. It’s a great place, obviously a big community with a lot of rugby followers and lovers.

“It’s an amazing sport, rugby, and when you’re able to try and help grow the sport and influence and inspire some young people it’s always good coming to places that you don’t regularly go on your yearly schedule. It’s great to have these exhibition games and obviously a big thanks to Natixis for making it all happen,” Carter said.

Wingers Juan Imhoff and Joe Rokocoko are among the plethora of big names also preparing to take to the Aberdeen Sports Ground, with Imhoff boasting 35 caps for Argentina.

The expert finisher has been with Racing since 2011 and is also known for making the switch to sevens for Argentina’s campaign at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Fijian-born Rokocoko racked up 68 caps and 46 tries in eight years as an All Black before making the shift to France and the 34-year-old has proven he is still as dangerous as ever on the wing since joining Racing in 2015.

Long-time Ireland international Donnacha Ryan is another player to watch and will need to dig in against a strong Sharks’ pack, with internationally capped Samoan props Viliamu Afatia and Census Johnston sure to offer plenty of support.

The experienced Benjamin Dambielle is on hand to assist Carter at fly half, while young gun Louis Dupichot slots in at full back and another ex-All Black in Anthony Tuitavake could feature in the centres in a lethal Racing backline.

Worley, in his second season in the club’s academy, is eager to step out in front of his home crowd as he edges closer to a berth in Racing’s first team.

Worley played in a couple of pre-season matches for Racing in August last year before joining Hong Kong for the World Rugby U20 Trophy and recently spent significant time with the seniors, including Carter, during the Racing 92 pre-season campaign.

Carter reflected on the progress of the young Hong Kong star climbing the ranks at Racing 92, saying, “I got to know him a bit better during preseason when he did a full preseason with us and I was really impressed.

“For a small fella he’s super quick and obviously he loves the sport and has made the most of his opportunity in France. Hopefully he can help inspire people in Hong Kong [and show] that if you work hard enough and make the most of opportunities you can give it a real go. I think he’s more excited than any of us to be back here and playing this weekend.

“It’s a great story,” Carter said.

For Worley, the fairy-tale ending will be the chance to take the pitch for Racing 92 on Saturday in front of his family and friends.

“It’s amazing to come back with the team and to show everyone Hong Kong, and to represent Hong Kong with Racing is great as well.

“It’s been an incredible experience at Racing, I’ve learned loads. Every day you learn more and more, especially when you get called up to train with these guys. You just be a sponge and soak it all up, there’s so much to learn and so many stars to get everything from.

“If I get on the pitch that’ll be great, just to make my parents and myself proud and make Hong Kong proud I guess,” said the self-effacing 20-year old.

“I hope the stands are full and everyone is there for the game, it’d be great to have the home crowd supporting me and supporting the team as well and hopefully we can get the win,” said Worley.

Racing 92 squad for the Natixis Cup:

Forwards: Vasil Kakovin, Luc Ducalcon, Viliamu Afatia, Luka Goginava, Census Johnston, Ole Avei, Patricio Albacete, Boris Palu, Manuel Carizza, Donnacha Ryan, Antonie Claassen, Sootala Fa’Aso’o, Baptiste Chouzenoux, Edwin Maka. Backs: Dan Carter, Anthony Tuitavake, Juan Imhoff, Joe Rokocoko, Benjamin Dambielle, Louis Dupichot, Xavier Chauveau, Franck Pourteau, Albert Vulivuli, Teddy Iribaren, Leonard Paris, Marc Andreu, Matthew Worley.