Ten months he waited.
Since his serious injury to both knees in November 2021. Since then, he has worked hard to dispel the doubts of a premature end to his career and rebuild a body capable of withstanding shocks.
His big comeback was announced for Sunday. But he was almost postponed.
Saturday, during the training of the captain, Mathieu Bastareaud, receiving an air ball, suffered an open fracture of the little finger.
An injury that had impressed his teammates since the bone was visible.
Fortunately, the ligaments had not been affected.
After an operation and four stitches, the RC Toulon staff and the player made the decision to take part in the match.
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A desire assumed by the former captain of the XV of France during the post-match press conference.
"
I'm someone who doesn't give up easily.
I know where I come from, what I did to come back.
It wasn't a little finger that was going to stop me.
I was sure to play, I prepared to play.
Apart from a hurricane or whatever, not much could have stopped me from playing…
” And from playing well.
“Mentally, it was the most difficult part to manage in recent days because, inevitably, when you are stopped for so long, you feel lost for rugby.
»
For his return after ten months of absence, Mathieu Bastareaud frankly impressed.
To the point of being named player of the match.
A performance he savored.
"
For me, there was a lot of emotional charge.
I am coming back from far.
Physically it was.
I felt good.
Afterwards, mentally, it was the most difficult part to manage in recent days because, inevitably, when you're stopped for so long, you think you're lost for rugby.
We remember the difficult times when we touch the goal with our fingertips.
Besides, it came close to not doing it.
The emotional charge was difficult to manage, but, thanks to my family, to my teammates, everything went very well.
I was happy to be able to push back the lawn of Mayol.
I quickly passed over the emotion.
I have bottle.
I know how to handle this.
»
He therefore particularly relished this success on the razor's edge (30-29).
“
Obviously, I'm very happy for the team.
This victory is good because, after the defeat against Toulouse, our heads were upside down.
We had taken a little spanking.
We needed to find ourselves on the fight and the aggressiveness.
That's what we did in the first part of the match but we slowed down in the second half.
(…) I tried to help the team and the youngsters.
When we took tests, I saw heads drop.
That's what I'm here for.
We have to go over it!
»
Happy and talkative, he also mentioned his presence at the head of the players when leaving the bus, in the middle of the supporters.
“
I would have hidden well behind Timani, he assured, laughing.
Baptiste Serin told me to go first, I didn't want too much.
But no one got up when the bus arrived.
So, at some point, I didn't have much choice, otherwise we were going to be late.
We had to go…
”
He was then able to see that the Var supporters had not forgotten him, he who wore the RCT jersey from 2011 to 2019, winning three European cups and a title of champion of France.
“
With Mayol, it's a reciprocal love.
Like I said, on the pitch here, I never cheated.
The Mayol public likes players who are generous on the pitch.
What interests them is not that you cross the field.
They like guys who capsize scrums, guys who split their heads open to stop a guy.
I have always given 200%.
They give it to me.
»
“My son was in bed because Monday there is school.
Even if he is in a small kindergarten section, I attach great importance to his studies.
»
He finally told the symbol of being replaced by Sergio Parisse at the start of the second period.
“
Sergio saw me arrive at the Stade Français.
Being able to play with him again is huge.
He was my captain in Paris, I no longer present him.
He's a guy, during my convalescence, who always heard from me.
There weren't many.
He welcomed me.
He helps me on the job.
He's a gentleman.
»
Shortly before, at the microphone of Canal +, all smiles, Mathieu Bastareaud had mentioned his three-year-old son, one of his motivations for returning so that he could see him play.
It will be soon.
“
He was in bed because tomorrow (Monday) there is school.
Even if he is in a small kindergarten section, I attach great importance to his studies.
As I know that tomorrow, he has a modeling clay and drawing workshop, I want him to bring me a beautiful drawing, the Toulon third-line had fun.
So no, he was in bed.
But I would give him the first 50 minutes on replay.
»