Mathieu Bastareaud refers to Stade Francais as time spent in “Cocoon” – Rugby news
After signing with French club Toulon at the start of the month, the former Stade Francais and French International centre, Mathieu Bastareaud, has termed the time spent at this former club as the time spent in a “Cocoon”.
Bastareaud, who has signed a new three-year deal with the French Top 14 side Toulon, made the comments while talking to reporters on Tuesday, July 19. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “I made mistakes but the past is the past, I have left my little cocoon
to finally become a man.”
The controversial French international gained worldwide fame for the controversy he created during the France’s teams tour to New Zealand during the 2009 season.
Bastareaud started his professional rugby union senior level debut for Stade Francais in 2007/08 season. He remained at Francais until the end of their 2010/11 French Top 14 campaign. His switch to Toulon was also not incident free.
Earlier, Stade Francais president Max Guazzini did his best to keep his protégé at the club. Eventually Thomas Savare took charge as the president of Stade Francais, following club’s financial relegation drama and subsequent series of event. Savare agreed
to release Bastareaud following his meeting with Toulon’s president Mourad Boudjellal on the eve of the General Assembly meeting of France’s National Rugby League.
Créteil born Mathieu Bastareaud has expressed his excitement at a chance to play for Toulon. He said, "I'm super excited, it is a legendary club. Great players have come here and I want to put my name in the history of this club.”
Bastareaud who burst onto the national rugby scene following his Man of the Match performance against Wales during his debut international game, has added that he has adjusted to the club’s culture and norms. He said, “I know most of the players here, which
will make things easier.”
Earlier in the week, Bastareaud along with, Mafileo Kefu and Willie Mason made their first appearance for the Toulon at their training grounds. Reports are that a crowd of approximately 4,000 fans were present on the occasion.
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