Mathieu Bastareaud calls time on his test career
- 1508
France International Mathieu Bastareaud has called time on his International career, a day after he missed out on France's squad to prepare for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Bastareaud was vice-captain of France during the Six Nations earlier this year and retires having represented his country 54 times.
The physical centre was well known for his strong ball carries, work at the breakdown and offloading ability and retires from test rugby over a decade after making his test debut in the starting line up against Wales in 2009 at the Stade de France.
Bastareaud started 38 of his 54 test appearances for France scoring 5 tries, 4 of which coming in the Six Nations. 30 of his test caps came in the Six Nations with a further four coming in the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015.
The centre, who will join Major League Rugby side Rugby United New York, confirmed the news on his social media channels saying: "The road was not easy but wearing this jersey, representing my country, my family, was my greatest pride! I'm glad I was able to realize this childhood dream... The blue page is turning! Good luck to the friends for this beautiful event that awaits them! Peace"
La route n’a pas tjs été facile mais porter ce maillot, représenter mon pays, ma famille, a été ma plus grande fierté !
— Mathieu Bastareaud (@BastaOfficiel) June 19, 2019
Je suis heureux d’avoir pu réaliser ce rêve de gosse...
La page bleue se tourne ! Bonne chance aux copains pour ce bel événement qui les attend ! Peace ✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/xzjYKO9NYt
Bastareaud retires from test rugby with 50% win ratio and an impressive 58.33% win ratio in the Six Nations. He also won a Six Nations Grand Slam with France in 2010 and claimed a win over the All Blacks in Dunedin in 2009, a match he started at outside centre.
