Bastareaud hospitalised with mental problems

FEARS for the welfare of France centre Mathieu Bastareaud are growing after it was revealed that the 20-year-old has been hospitalised suffering from serious psychological problems, according to his club, Stade Francais.

The giant three-quarter, who has been embroiled in a growing scandal in New Zealand and in France over an assault claim, is said to have been hospitalised on Monday and put under 24-hour surveillance, l’Equipe reported.

Bastareaud was flown home early last week from France’s tour of New Zealand and Australia after claiming that he had been attacked by five men outside the team hotel, just hours after France’s 14-10 loss against New Zealand in Wellington on June 21.