The center Mathieu Bastareaud, unsuccessful Tuesday by the XV of France to prepare for the World Cup, announced Wednesday at the age of 30 years his international retirement on social networks Instagram and Twitter.
The Toulonnais and future New Yorker, whose history with the Blues was tumultuous, the Grand Slam of 2010 on his return in the selection at the end of 2017, is the missing out of the list of 37 players unveiled Tuesday by the coach Jacques Brunel in view of Japan (September 20th - November 2nd). He has 54 selections including 3 as captain.
The road has not been easy yet but wearing this jersey, representing my country, my family, has been my biggest pride!
I'm happy to have achieved this kid's dream ...
The blue page is turning! Good luck to the friends for this beautiful event that awaits them! Peace ✌ pic.twitter.com/xzjYKO9NYt
"The road was not always easy but wearing this shirt, representing my country, my family, was my greatest pride! I am happy to have achieved this dream kid ... The blue page turns! Good luck to the friends for this beautiful event that awaits them, "said Bastareaud in a text accompanied by a series of photos of him in blue jersey.
Penalized by his mobility deficit
Bastareaud was vice-captain of the Blues during the 2019 Tournament, having been named captain - replacing Guilhem Guirado - in the last match of the Tournament 2018 and during the next tour in New Zealand. Jacques Brunel justified Tuesday his eviction by his mobility deficit. "The fundamental criterion (of its non-selection) is related to our ambition to practice a game on which the move is a priority", justified the coach. In a position where competition is tough, the staff has retained Sofiane Guitoune, who has shone this season with the Stade Toulousain.
Bastarockett's career with the Blues was marked by Auckland's "nightclub affair", whose diplomatic and media repercussions led him to commit suicide. The player admitted to having invented an assault against him.