"It will be my last trophy and, next week, it will be my last match in Mayol (the RCT stadium, editor's note)," said the former international (54 caps) at the microphone of beIN Sport after the coronation of Toulon.
Bastareaud, a figure of French rugby and idol of the harbor after his three European titles (2013, 2014, 2015) and a shield of Brennus (2014) gleaned during his first stint at Toulon between 2011 and 2019, had returned to the club at the beginning of the season after suffering a serious injury to both knees in November 2021, while he was playing for LOU.
With the France XV, he played in seven Six Nations Tournaments between 2009 and 2019, winning the Grand Slam in 2010. He also played in the 2015 World Cup, finished in the quarters by Les Bleus.
"I gritted my teeth for a year because I said I wanted to finish on my own two legs," he said Friday night, referring to his serious injury.
"It's done. I said I wanted to at least win a title by coming back to Toulon because I had not returned to the EHPAD and voilà, I have the chance to win one last trophy before bowing out.
Bastareaud, also played for Stade Français, played again for the first time since his injury on September 18 in the Top 14.
Entered the game Friday night during the large victory of his family in the final of the Challenge Cup, he has a last day of Top 14 at home, May 28 against Union Bègles-Bordeaux, on the 26th and last day of the regular season.
The RCT is currently 8th, 5 points behind LOU, 6th and last qualified as it is for the finals. The hope for Toulon to qualify is very low. "Now it's almost cooked," Bastareaud said after the previous defeat of the RCT on the 25th day.
A farewell to Mayol, in addition to this victory in the Challenge Cup, could give him a good start.
© 2023 AFP