Toulon captain Mathieu Bastareaud has apologised for the act of foul play that saw him red-carded against Castres.

Bastareaud was sent off for a swinging forearm to the head of Castres lock Christophe Samson, who lay unprotected on the ground, in the 68th minute of the Top 14 match.

Toulon trailed 27-20 at the time, but were still able to fight back with 14 men to win 28-27.

‘Sincerely sorry for my gesture and the red card,’ Bastareaud tweeted. ‘I’m an international, I have responsibilities, I’m a captain. I should not have done that. I apologised to him [Samson].

‘I’ve crossed the line – the red card is deserved. I’m not going to say otherwise. That’s how I feel, it’s stupid, I’m sorry. I will take the consequences.’

Bastareaud, who will plead guilty, faces a ban of up to eight weeks.

 

Photo: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images