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Bastareaud will be changing position at new club Lyon

By Ian Cameron
France centre Mathieu Bastareaud. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Lyon have won the race to sign Mathieu Bastareaud on a short-term deal.

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Jacques Brunel left Bastareaud out of the 31-strong France squad for the Rugby World Cup, the centre even failing to be included in the standby list of the players also announced.

The question then became where would he play prior to his MLR assignment with Rugby United New York.

The hulking centre was spotted at the Lyon last week, who have now confirmed the signing.

However, his new club may play him in a new position – in the back row.

“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!”

Early this year Thomas Castaignede told RugbyPass he believed Bastareaud could launch a new international career at No.8 for France, insisting the centre is now too slow to command a place in the back division.

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Castaignede, who won 54 caps for France, told RugbyPass: “I really like Mathieu and he is a really good guy, but for me he is not a centre for France – he is a backrow.

“To play the modern game you need quick guys in the backs and as a No8, Bastareaud could be even better than Louis Picamoles in this position. Mentally it will be difficult for Bastareaud to accept this kind of move but he would be tremendous and he would help the French team. And, we need him.

Bastareaud was left out of France’s plans for the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and was linked a number of clubs.

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Bastareaud will take a massive pay cut to play for MLR side Rugby United New York in 2020, but his World Cup snubbing means he could be left without a club or any competitive rugby for the guts of six months.

Despite being technically under contract with Toulon until December 1st, both parties decided to split ways earlier this week.

While Munster were linked with the giant 126kg centre, Stade Francais and Montpellier looked like leading the race for a short-term contract.

It was later reported that Montpellier had sent him a contract proposal as they want him as cover for Francois Steyn who is expected to be away at the World Cup with South Africa. Financial terms were said to be agreeable, even if the club isn’t Bastareaud’s first choice.

Stade Francais are believed to have sent a proposal to Bastareaud.

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Bull Shark 13 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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