Bastareaud deserves his cheering send-off, too

Sergio Parisse's long farewell has taken centre stage recently but let's hear it also for Mathieu Bastareaud who also took his farewell at the Stade Mayol last weekend.

Basta was the troubled young giant of French rugby 14 years ago when he concocted a lie about being attacked by a group of five youths in Auckland which he used to explain the damage he had drunkenly caused to the France team hotel.

That lie was exposed, he was labelled a disgrace, started drinking heavily on his return and in his autobiography recalled a suicide attempt, slitting his wrists.

Yet from that low point he rallied, reformed and rebooted to become a much-loved figure at Toulon in particular where he was an integral part of the glory years.

He ended up with 350 Top 14 appearances to his name with various clubs and 54 France caps. He was a force of nature in midfield – and occasionally at No.8 – but possessed more skill than many credited.

In his latter years he played always with a smile and has kept going as long as his creaking body allowed. He found bigtime rugby a torment at the start of his career but ultimately the sport and the support of mates and rugby folk was his salvation.

As he ran off Basta, below, garnered as big a cheer as Sergio, which is saying something.