Former rugby players and broadcasters have united in condemning French international Mathieu Bastareaud for his sending off in Toulon’s Top 14 victory over Castres on Sunday.
The 47-times capped midfield battering ram saw red 12 minutes from time for a brutal forearm smash Castres lock Christophe Samson while laying prone on the ground with Toulon at the time trailing 27-20.
The criticism was led by Andy Goode.
I see @BastaOfficiel lost his head for @RCTofficiel with a forearm smash to the head of @samsonchris4 who was lying prone on the floor. As @skysportsmiles said, it was bordering on assault. Shocking act that is indefensible and he should receive, as @WillGreenwood said, a big ban pic.twitter.com/vrQIVtQ0na
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) September 9, 2018
Here’s what else was said:
Act of thuggery by Mathieu Bastareaud. Should be banned for a very long time.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) September 9, 2018
Cue protestations of ‘He’s not that sort of player’ which he clearly is. Three months minimum, if they do their job properly. https://t.co/vvghi2ViNd
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) September 10, 2018
Long ban coming. https://t.co/2wu1XbRujg
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) September 9, 2018
Looks like Bastareaud been a naughty boy again 🙄
— Craig Watson (@CraigWatsonpix) September 9, 2018
Straight red for Bastareaud, he smashed a Castres player in the head with his forearm while the player was prone on the floor. He’s got to expect a hefty ban for that. Toulon are losing the plot here.
— Julie Jones (@Ms_JulieJ) September 9, 2018