Bastareaud makes positional switch for Lyon's pre-season clash
- 4959
Former French International centre, Mathieu Bastareaud is set to make his first appearance for his new club, Lyon.
Bastareaud missed out on a place in the France Rugby World Cup squad and subsequently hang up his test boots. The 19-stone midfielder is set to join Rugby United New York in January next year and will be on loan at Lyon before heading to USA.
Bastareaud was given allowed an early release from his contract at Toulon and is set to rejoin the side after his stint in the USA but is will be turning out for Lyon in the interim.
Since signing with Lyon, speculation has mounted that 54 test cap midfielder would make a switch to the back row and it looks as if he featuring in the position with Lyon after being named at number 8 for Lyon's clash with Grenoble.
#LOUFCG Découvrez la compo du LOU Rugby retenue pour affronter le @FCGrugby ce vendredi (19h00) au Stade Pierre Rajon. Pour ce premier match de préparation, Pierre Mignoni et son staff font appel à un groupe de 36 joueurs.https://t.co/uotp2SOm4I pic.twitter.com/snWMvhQQ50
— LOU Rugby (@LeLOURugby) August 1, 2019
Speaking to reports in July, Bastareaud said that he was not closed to the idea of making a positional switch.
“With Pierre (Mignoni), we discussed the possibility of playing at Number 8,” he told reporters.
“I told him that I was not closed to play at that position. On the contrary, since we are talking about change, why not continue! It can also be exciting to take on this challenge over this period. After that, I think I still have a lot of work to perform at this key position. But we will try the bet!”
