Toulon : Toulon edged Clermont 30-29 in the Top 14 on Sunday in a game that marked the latest return of veteran France international Mathieu Bastareaud to a rugby field and to Toulon.
Bastarueaud, who suffered the latest of his knee injuries playing for Lyon at Toulon last December, has returned to the club where he played more than 200 games and helped win European cups as back.
On Sunday, the day after his 34th birthday, he started at No.8.
He landed some percussive hits and also made one deft kick before being replaced after 48 minutes.
“There was a lot of emotional charge for this game,” he said.
“The triumph went quite well, and I felt excellent personally.”
“I was ready for it, and only a hurricane might prevent me from performing,” she said.
In six minutes, Toulon scored three tries.
After Paul Jedrasiak and Cristian Ojovan received yellow cards in quick succession, Clermont was down to 13 players when Beka Gigashvili scored the game’s first goal in the 35th minute.
Ojovan was still off the field when Gael Drean crossed in the first minute of the second half to give the home team a 27-8 lead and when Jiuta Wainiqolo scored to conclude the first half.
Clermont made three attempts to come back, but they were unsuccessful by one point as Baptiste Serin kicked 15 points for the home team.
