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Ex-France star Maxime Machenaud learns brutal extent of injury
By Josh Raisey
Bayonne scrum-half Maxime Machenaud is facing months on the sidelines after sustaining severe injuries to his knee and ankle in the Top 14 at the weekend.
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The 36-year-old suffered a torn ACL, a sprained MCL and a sprained ankle on his right leg after attempting to tackle Pau’s Argentina international Facundo Isa on Saturday, and was visibly distraught as he was helped from the field.
Prior to learning the extent of the injury, Machenaud vowed that he would not retire despite turning 37 in December. After receiving his results, the 38-cap France international echoed that same message in a post on Instagram, targeting a return before the end of the season.
With his contract with the Basque outfit expiring at the end of the season, Machenaud’s decision as to when he will end his career may be taken out of his hands should he be unable to recover in time for the season’s conclusion, adding in his statement that retirement was not even an option before the injury.
He will now have to watch Bayonne’s season unfold from the touchline, where they sit in sixth place in the Top 14, having been displaced from top spot in the 47-24 loss to Pau.
“From this photo, I already knew…” Machenaud wrote online. “I was a little hopeful after yesterday’s images, but the verdict is clear: torn cruciate ligaments, grade 3 medial collateral ligament sprain, and ankle sprain.
“I had a feeling, but it’s hard for me to find the words…
“My reaction was extreme because I thought it was the end of my career. At 36, I’m certainly not at the beginning of my career. But believe me, I’m not at the end, not ready to turn the page, and not ready to quit. I’m challenging myself to come back before the end of the season and not to end my career this year, because that wasn’t even an option before this injury.
“I love this sport so much, I love this field so much, and I feel I still have some wonderful human and sporting adventures to experience. I want my children to see me play, to see me fight, to surpass myself in this game that I can’t live without until my body and my mind simultaneously demand it.
“The challenge is great, but I’m ready. And that’s what has always kept me going.
“Thank you all for your messages, your support, and your strength.”
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