Bastareaud could be set for Toulon return - report

Former France centre and current Lyon No.8 Matthieu Bastareaud could be set for a return to Toulon – but not as a player.

According to Midi Olympique, the current Lyon No.8 is contemplating hanging up his boots after two injury-hit seasons at the LOU.

The once heavyweight Test centre made the switch to No.8 after arriving at the Wolves in 2020 from MLR side Rugby United New York (RUNY), a position where it was felt his 125kg plus physique would be better suited.

Eben Etzebeth | Rugby Roots

Eben Etzebeth | Rugby Roots

It hasn’t been altogether successful, with a freak knee injury last November jeopardizing his career.

Bastareaud revealed that he had ruptured the quadriceps tendon in both knees in a match against his former side, Toulon.

While it was reported that he had returned to training with Lyon, the French legend could be set to hang up his boots if he felt he was unable to make a full return to fitness.

He has played just 13 times for the club in two seasons.

Now it is being reported that he could return to Toulon as a coach of their U18s, formally hanging up his boots as a player.

The 33-year-old spent eight seasons at Toulon, where he won three Heineken Champions Cups and a Bouclier de Brennus.

Bastareaud won 54 caps for France over the span of a 10-year period between 2009 and 2019, before being left out of Jacques Brunel’s squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.