Bastareaud ready to grow up

New Toulon signing Mathieu Bastareaud says he left Stade Francais in order to “become a man” after being unveiled by his new club today.

The 22-year-old centre was one of the stars of France’s 2010 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam success, but has fallen down the pecking order since and has not been included in national coach Marc Lievremont’s preliminary World Cup squad.

Bastareaud, who was infamously sent home from a tour of New Zealand in 2009 after falsely alleging he had been assaulted, had spent his entire career to date with Stade Francais but the club’s well-publicised financial problems - which almost saw them relegated – allowed him to secure a move which he believes can resurrect his career.

“I’m super excited,” he told reporters.

“It is a legendary club. Great players have come here and I want to put my name in the history of this club.

“I know most of the players here, which will make things easier.

“I made mistakes but the past is the past, I have left my little cocoon to finally become a man.”

Fellow new signings Willie Mason and Mafileo Kefu were also greeted by a 4,000-strong crowd at the club’s training ground as Philippe Saint-Andre’s side look to improve on last season’s eighth-placed finish in the Top 14.