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French superstar Mathieu Bastareaud could be on his way to New York next season. According to Midi Olympique, the 30-year-old Toulon powerhouse has requested a short-term loan that would see him play for Rugby United New York in the 2020 Major League Rugby season.
The report also claims that Bastareaud, his agent Laurent Quaglia, Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal, and RUNY CEO Pierre Arnald met on Sunday to discuss terms of the arrangement. Confirmation of the move from the American club could come as early as this week.
Boudjellal has previously agreed to let his club captain take a sabbatical following the World Cup, and this is not the first time a move to the USA has been suggested by Bastareaud. In 2016 he expressed interest in the now-defunct PRO Rugby. More recently discussions with the Sharks in Super Rugby are also said to have taken place.
If the move comes to fruition it would be a major coup for RUNY. Bastareaud is one of the highest profile players in France and recognized around the rugby world. While he is not well known among the average North American sports fan, he would certainly attract the eyes of the numerous ex-pats settled around the New York metropolitan area.
More importantly for coach Mike Tolkin, Bastareaud is a world-class midfielder who boasts 54 caps in a decade’s worth of international experience. He captained Les Bleus on three occasions in 2018, including the first two tests of the June series against the New Zealand All Blacks.
The financials of the deal are of interest given that Bastareaud’s salary is said to be greater than 500,000€ a year ($565,000 USD) which by itself is well above the current $450,000 MLR salary cap. It’s understood, however, that the opportunity to play in New York is the biggest motivation with Bastareaud willing to accept a greatly reduced rate to do so.
After the confirmation of 2020 expansion plans, an investment from Scottish Rugby into Old Glory DC, and a new strategic partnership with USA Rugby, it seems there are big moves still to come for Major League Rugby in the coming weeks.
