Racing Metro\'s French international scrum-half Maxime Machenaud will miss key European Cup matches against Saracens and Munster after picking up a thigh injury, the club announced Thursday. The 24-year-old, who has made four appearances for France, suffered the injury during last weekend\'s 19-15 upset victory over leaders Toulon in Top 14 action. He is expected to be out for approximately two weeks meaning he misses this weekend\'s crucial home match against Saracens and likely the trip to face Munster in Limerick on January 20. The team who snapped Toulon\'s 18-match home winning streak are currently eighth in the domestic table and second in their European Cup pool, two points behind leaders Saracens and one point ahead of Munster with two matches to play. The six pool winners and two best second-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals with the final set for May 18 in Dublin. From : AFP