An unexpected return.
Announced in the stands, the third line Mathieu Bastareaud will finally be a good starter with Toulon to face Clermont on Sunday at the end of the 3rd day of the Top 14, just a few days after having officially made his big return to the RCT!
" Change.
@BastaOfficiel is finally in the starting XV and is therefore making its big return to Mayol in red and black, ”wrote the RCT on its Twitter account, without specifying whose place it takes in the starting XV.
🚨 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 🚨@BastaOfficiel is finally in the starting XV and is therefore making a comeback to Mayol in 🔴&⚫️ #BastaBack #RCTASM pic.twitter.com/okfGt9vSkt
- RCT - RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) September 18, 2022
The player, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Saturday, has not walked on a Top 14 lawn since November 27, 2021, when he was wearing the Lyon jersey.
After only five minutes, he then collapsed on the lawn of Mayol, hit in both knees.
After a long convalescence, this summer he followed Pierre Mignoni, former manager of Lyon, for his return to the harbour.
Integrated into the group for three weeks, the man with 54 selections with the XV of France, initialed his contract with Toulon this week.
He wore the colors of the RCT between 2011 and 2019, winning three European titles and a Brennus shield.