Mathieu Bastareaud
France
player portrait
Full name Mathieu Bastareaud
Born September 17, 1988, Creteil
Current age 35 years 184 days
Major teams Barbarians, Lyon, Stade Français, Toulon, France
Position Centre
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 275 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 2009-2019 54 38 16 25 5 0 0 0 26 26 2 50
Five/Six Nations 2009-2019 30 23 7 20 4 0 0 0 17 12 1 58.33
IRB Rugby World Cup 2015-2015 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 50

Career statistics
Test debut France v Wales at Stade de France, Feb 27, 2009 match details
Last Test Italy v France at Rome, Mar 16, 2019 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

While Mathieu Bastareaud is an alarmingly powerful player, he also boasts a fine turn of speed and accomplished handling game that belies his bulky physical frame.

A cousin of the France and Arsenal centre-back, William Gallas, Bastareaud burst on to the scene at the 2007 Under-19 World Cup in Belfast. A product of the youth system of French third division side SU Massy, he represented their first team and later earned a contract with Paris-based Stade. Following some impressive performances in France's top division he was called into the national squad to face Wales during the 2009 Six Nations following an injury to Perpignan's Maxime Mermoz and went straight into the starting XV.

Later in 2009, he was the subject of a media storm when he falsified an account of an assault while in New Zealand with the French side. He later retracted the claims and admitted he had been drunk and had sustained the injuries in his hotel room. The player added that he had panicked and concocted the story to avoid getting in trouble with team management.

The alleged incident drew an initial apology from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key but following the later revelations his French counterpart Francois Fillon was forced to express his regret. On his return to France, Bastareaud was reportedly admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

He was eventually ordered to complete community service by the FFR, with a three-month suspended playing ban. He was not considered for selection France's November series later that year, but was handed a recall in early 2010 as France prepared for the Six Nations. n the opening game of the tournament, against Scotland at Murrayfield, he scored a first-half brace of tries to power France to an 18-9 victory. France went on to win a Grand Slam, with Bastareaud featuring in every game. Following the tournament he signed a three-year contract extension with Stade.

But he cut this contract short and joined Toulon ahead of the 2011-12 season. He re-found some of his best form here and come the 2012-13 season, he was being mentioned as a contender for the France team. And ahead of the 2013 Six Nations, Bastareaud was named in France's squad for their opening clash.

Latest Articles
Mathieu Bastareaud reveals suicide attempt (Jun 16, 2015) Bastareaud benched for Wales clash (Feb 25, 2015) Tearful Bastareaud: 'I'm a zombie' (Dec 29, 2014) Fofana: Folau natural rugby star (Jun 14, 2014) Bastareaud will "avenge the insult" of first Test (Jun 11, 2014) Mathieu Bastareaud news and articles (56) »
Latest Photos
Jan 17, 2016
RC Toulon's French centre Mathieu Bastareaud tries to unpick the Wasps defence
RC Toulon's French centre Mathieu Bastareaud tries to unpick the Wasps defence
©  Getty Images
Feb 3, 2015
Mathieu Bastareaud trains indoors ahead of France's Six Nations opener against Scotland
Mathieu Bastareaud trains indoors ahead of France's Six Nations opener against Scotland
©  Getty Images
Jan 17, 2015
Mathieu Bastareaud scores for Toulon
Mathieu Bastareaud scores for Toulon
©  Getty Images
Aug 15, 2014
Toulon's Mathieu Bastareaud takes the ball into contact
Toulon's Mathieu Bastareaud takes the ball into contact
©  Getty Images
Mathieu Bastareaud rugby photos (70) »

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