Mathieu Bastareaud's powerful try against Biarritz

Last weekend Stade Francais beat Biarritz in the Top 14, with a great try being scored after only two minutes by young Mathieu Bastareaud, who looks to have put his troubles behind him.

The powerful centre charged into the defense, and while it seemed like he was halted, he kept going and eventually made his way over the line for what was a stunning try by a young man who's had to deal with a lot over the last year.

Through the help of his club, as well as showing strong character, Bastareaud has moved on from the New Zealand tour scandal and is now showing that form that we saw glimpses of when he first arrived on the scene.

Stade Francais host Bath in the Heineken Cup this weekend, and Bastareaud feels that they're finding form at precisely the right time, despite not doing brilliantly until now.

"It was imperative that we finally clicked, that we woke up because since the beginning of the season it has not been very pretty what we have been doing," he admitted.

"We were not getting much pleasure from our play on the pitch, it was beginning to become a little worrying," he said.

There's no doubt he'll be in contention for the France side in the upcoming Six Nations, especially as there have been recent injuries to Damien Traille and Maxime Mermoz. He is quick to dismiss that pressure though, focussing only on the tasks at hand for now.

"I am trying to play well on the pitch, to give my all for the club. After that, what will come will come," he said.


Time: 01:05

Posted at 8:14 am | 45 comments

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