PARIS – Mathieu Bastareaud announced his retirement from international rugby on Wednesday, a day after he was left out of France’s World Cup squad.
In a major bombshell, Bastareaud, 30, was omitted from French coach Jacques Brunel’s squad of 37 players named on Tuesday for the World Cup taking place in Japan starting on September 20.
Capped 54 times and twice captain of Les Blues, Bastareaud, who is leaving French club Toulon to join Rugby United New York next season on loan, tweeted “The blue page has turned,” adding that he had been proud to represent France and wished his teammates well in Japan.
“It has not always been an easy road, but wearing the jersey, representing my country, my family, has been my biggest pride,” wrote the player, whose signing is the biggest recruit to the Major League Rugby project.
“I am happy to have been able to make this childhood dream come true.”
The thick-set, 120kg centre has had a roller-coaster international career and is seen as a polarising figure.
Critics view his use as a midfield battering ram as a betrayal of traditional a free-slowing ‘French flair’ rugby style.
Bastareaud’s omission indicates that France may be ready to play a more expansive game in Japan.
“The (selection) criteria is fundamentally linked to our preparation and ambition to play a game where movement on and off the ball is the priority,” said Brunel.
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
Nonetheless, Bastareaud’s omission was a shock, given he has been a mainstay in Brunel’s squad since the former Perpignan coach took over in 2018, starting all but four Tests out of 16.
Bastareaud was named captain under Brunel in his fifth game in charge against Wales in February 2018, deputising for regular skipper Guilhem Guirado, who was suffering from a knee injury.
Clermont scrumhalf Morgan Parra, a proven goal-kicker with 71 caps, was another key omission from the World Cup squad.
Les Bleus start their campaign against Argentina on September 21 before facing the USA, Tonga and then England in what promises to be a tough Pool C.