Bastareaud on track for Toulon return at No.8

Former France centre Matthieu Bastareaud remains on track to return to the field for Toulon as a No.8 - according to reports.

Bastareaud suffered a season-ending knee injury at Lyon nearly a year ago and over the summer re-joined his former side Toulon for the coming season - in a player-coach role.

Many predicted that he might well retire as a player but according to the club the 130kg converted backrow is very much on track to feature for to red and black this season. According to Midi Olympique, Bastareaud is now training and has been involved in his first contact sessions.

Speaking on RCTPLAY, Toulon's new video platform, head coach Franck Azéma gave an update on the iconic Frenchman. “It's on the right track. We are reaching the goal. It bodes well. I believe we will get there. It would be good to see him play again and especially to push back a field. We wish him to return, and I think it will happen quickly."

Bastareaud could potentially pack down alongside fellow No.8 Sergio Parisse. The 38-year-old Italian is yet to hang up his boots and featured against Aviron Bayonnais in the Top 14 the weekend before last.

Bastareaud (33) previously played eight seasons at RCT between 2011 and 2019.

Capped 54 times by France, the career of Bastareaud has been more stop than start in recent years. After failing to make the French squad for the 2019 World Cup, he spent a few months at Lyon as a medical joker before heading to Rugby United New York for the 2020 MLR season in America.

However, the pandemic cut short that adventure and he agreed to return to Lyon on a two-year deal that will now expire. In all twelve games he started since coming back from the USA, he played at No8 after converting from his more familiar position at centre.