Mathieu Bastareaud fears French World Cup axe
Wednesday 5 August 2015 16:58, UK
Mathieu Bastareaud admitted he is worried about being left out of the France World Cup squad.
The centre, 26, is mostly used as a battering ram in the midfield, making him unique among France's midfield options.
But Bastareaud believes his qualities may be past their sell-by date and is worried he may be left out of France coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
"It's like the dinosaurs: they were there and then suddenly, they disappeared," he said.
"They also had a unique profile and yet you don't see them anymore! It's true I have an unusual profile but (the coaches) could very easily decide to proceed without me.
"I work hard, I'm trying to give my all every time, to improve and then they'll make a decision and we'll see."
Bastareaud is up against Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Remi Lamerat and Alexandre Dumoulin for the three or four midfield places in Saint-Andre's final World Cup squad.
And after helping club side Toulon to a third straight European Cup triumph last season, Bastareaud's confidence should be high.
"The way I work is to tell myself that everything you've done is in the past,” he said. "One season you can be at the top and the next, someone's overtaken you.
"Perhaps in the moment I took confidence. You feel proud to have won all those trophies, but I believe what the old guard has taught me: that there's always someone to come along and challenge you, so you must always be on your guard."
