Update: Bastareaud On Track For Super Rugby Switch

Earlier this month, Midi Olympique revealed that France and Toulon captain, Mathieu Bastareaud, has a clause included in his contract that would allow him to have a stint outside of Europe, with the centre having ambitions to play Super Rugby.

The French publication has now reported that Bastareaud met with Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal, and one of the club's shareholders, Bernard Lemaitre to activate the clause and obtain his release from the Top 14 side.

Bastareaud met with two shareholders last Wednesday to voice his desire to test himself in the Southern Hemisphere and get the green light from the club bosses. 

Boudjellal spoke to Midi Olympique in Monday's edition of the paper saying: "He told us of his commitment to the club, but also his challenge to play at least once in the Super Rugby. He especially, he wants to have a new experience, especially after the World Cup, where according to him he had trouble to find the daily of the Top 14 after 2015. We will of course facilitate things, " 

The Toulon president appreciated the honesty and openness from his club captain, who has also kept Patrice Collazo, Toulon's head coach, informed of his desires.

Bastareaud is being pursued by two Japanese teams but his ideal destination is the South African side the Sharks. In the summer of 2017, he spent two weeks with the Sharks training on the facilities of the franchise.

Any talks over Bastareaud's move to the Sharks will be put on hold until the completion of the Six Nations with his contract with Toulon set to be terminated before he signs with the Sharks in 2020 before signing a pre-contract with Touon for 2021. 

Boudjellal commented on the procedure of Bastareaud's move saying that "We will do it, there is no problem,".