TOULON CENTRE MATHIEU Bastareaud has announced his retirement from international rugby a day after he was left out of France’s World Cup squad.
In a major bombshell, Bastareaud, 30, was omitted from French coach Jacques Brunel’s squad of 37 players for the World Cup taking place in Japan later this year.
Capped 54 times and twice captain of Les Bleus, Bastareaud, who joins Rugby United New York next season, said on Twitter: ‘The blue page has turned,’ adding that he had been proud to represent France and wished his team-mates well in Japan.
“It has not always been an easy road but wearing the jersey, representing my country, my family, has been my biggest pride,” wrote the player, whose signing is the biggest recruit to the Major League Rugby project.
“I am happy to have been able to make this childhood dream come true.”
Bastareaud’s omission indicates that France may be ready to play a more expansive game in Japan.
“The (selection) criteria is fundamentally linked to our preparation and ambition to play a game where movement on and off the ball is the priority,” said Brunel.
Nonetheless, Bastareaud’s omission was a shock, given he has been a mainstay in Brunel’s squad since the former Perpignan coach took over in 2018, starting all but four Tests out of 16.
Bastareaud was named captain under Brunel in his fifth game in charge against Wales in February 2018, deputising for regular skipper Guilhem Guirado who was suffering from a knee injury.
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