Bastareaud banned for Irish test
TOULON centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty to allegations of verbally abusing Benetton Rugby f lanker Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio in Champions Cup on Sunday.
The punishment means 29 year-old Bastareaud, originally named in France’s 32-man squad to face Ireland on February 3, will miss at least the opening round of the Six Nations. His has been replaced by Jonathan Danty of Stade Francais.
Bastareaud was cited by Welsh citing commissioner Dennis Jones after appearing to call Negri a “f ****** f **** t” in the final stages of Toulon’s 36-0 victory.
The insult was picked up on the microphone of referee Luke Pearce, who issued a warning but took no further on-field action.
New French coach Jacques Brunel has recalled scrum-half Morgan Parra while also naming six uncapped players in a 32-man squad. Parra (29) last played for France in October 2015 and did not feature under Guy Noves.
FRANCE SQUAD – A Jelonch, F Lambey, R Lamerat , W Lauret, S Macalou, M Machenaud, G Palis, M Parra, J Poirot, D Priso, R Slimani, M Tauleigne, T Thomas, C Tolofua, S Vahaamahina, V Vakatawa, J Danty, A Belleau, D Ben Arous, Y Camara, C Chat, H Chavancy, G Doumayrou, B Dulin, A Dupont, B Fall, P Gabrillagues, C Gomes Sa, K Gourdon, G Guirado, A Iturria, M Jalibert