"It will be my last trophy and, next week, it will be my last game in Mayol (against UBB). I gritted my teeth for a year because I said I wanted to finish on my own two legs. That has been 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, "said the three-quarter center with an extraordinary physique, converted into a third line in recent years, on the lawn of Dublin.

In one statement, everything is said for this former taulier of the XV of France (54 caps), who will have won much more with Toulon - three consecutive European Cups from 2013 to 2015, a Top 14 in 2014 and therefore a European challenge in 2023 - than with the Blues - a Grand Slam all the same in 2010.

Mathieu Bastareaud on May 19, 2023 during the Challenge Cup final won by Toulon against Glasgow at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. "This will be my last trophy," announced the Toulonnais at the end of the match © Paul ELLIS / AFP / Archives

The career of "Bastarocket" in the France team is made of ups and downs, from his first call-up in 2007 at just 18 years old, when he had not yet played a match in pro and he was playing in Massy in Nationale, to his non-call-up for the 2019 World Cup in Japan through the 2010 Grand Slam, while the Blues of Dusautoir are coached by Marc Lièvremont.

But the passage in Blue of 'Basta' will have been especially marked by the "nightstand affair" of Auckland, during a summer tour of the France team in New Zealand and whose diplomatic and media repercussions led him to a suicide attempt. The player had admitted to having invented an aggression against him, a lie traced back to the top of the two states, leading the Prime Ministers of the two countries to present each other in turn mutual apologies.

Bedside table

Incarnation of frontal rugby, the "wrecking ball" Bastareaud is a powerful player, also able to scratch balls in groupings. This characteristic style cost him his place in the France team during the Guy Novès era (2016-2017), who defended a project more focused on movement and speed.

Mathieu Bastareaud, ball in hand, in the jersey of Toulon on October 20, 2018 against Edinburgh in the Champions Cup. "Bastarocket" embodied frontal rugby, all in power © ANDY BUCHANAN / /Archives

But for lack of results and perhaps encouraged by Bernard Laporte, one of the mentors of the Ile-de-France, who became president of the Federation, Novès finally gave in and gave him a chance. The cousin of footballer William Gallas seized it and even offered himself three captaincies with the XV of France in a role of guide for a young emerging generation.

This fan of manga and Japanese culture will not make the trip to Japan in 2019, deprived of the World Cup in the final straight, again sacrificed on the altar of mobility.

Mathieu Bastareaud in the jersey of the France team on March 19, 2010 at the Stade de France on the eve of the Six Nations Tournament match won against England, synonymous with Grand Slam. He has worn a total of 54 times the jersey of the national © team FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Archives

Las, the former player of Stade Français (2007-2011) and Lyon (2019-2022) offered himself an American freelance by signing for four months at the RU New York, looking "maybe a little more tranquility, enjoy more (his) family".

"I want to try a new experience in an unknown country. I only went there once, to sign my contract. I go there a little to breathe (...) But I'm not going to New York on vacation. I am a competitor. I'm going there to be on top and win something," he told AFP.

His return to France, first to Lyon before a return to Toulon, was complicated by numerous injuries, including an operation on both knees that kept him off the pitch for nearly a year. Before going for this last trophy, Friday in Ireland, playing more than half time as a center, his first position. Atypical, we tell you.

© 2023 AFP