Mathieu Bastareaud's American dream has turned into a nightmare because of the coronavirus epidemic. The center or third row, after being a joker of LOU during the World Cup, had joined the American franchise of Rugby United New York at the start of the year but Major League Rugby canceled its end of the season due to the epidemic of coronavirus. The 31-year-old has played five games in the American championship.
The ex-international (54 selections) therefore returns to France and the Lyon club has announced its signature for the next two seasons. He will be back in France within a few days, said a press release from LOU.
"The LOU offered me a great adventure, why not take up this challenge"
“This New York experience was special. I only played five games before the competition ended, the confinement. It was complicated ”, reacted Bastareaud on the website of the Lyon club. “I wanted to discover something new abroad. I will keep a good memory of this experience even if I wanted to go to the end of the championship. Stopping was the right decision for everyone. "
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“The LOU is a healthy, ambitious and forward-looking club. The four months spent in Lyon were really great and I enjoyed the city. The club was offering me a great adventure, why not take up this challenge, ”he added.
In addition to Lyon and New York, Mathieu Bastareaud played at Massy Essonne (2003-2007), at the Stade Français Paris (2007-2011) and in Toulon (2011-2019), where he was champion of France (2014) and winner of the European Cup (2013, 2014, 2015).
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