Big apple.

France international centre Mathieu Bastareaud has confirmed he will leave Toulon after the Rugby World Cup to join Major League Rugby (MLR) team Rugby United New York.

The powerful centre will join the American franchise on a short-term deal from December 1, 2019, until the end of June 2020 before he then returns to Toulon. The 30-year-old is expected to take a hefty pay-cut as part of the move.

“I’m not going to be secretive, these are my last matches in Toulon, I try to live it thoroughly,” he said.

“I chose to join the New York team. It’s a new adventure for me. It’s important for me to finish here. I wanted to change. It was the best compromise for me at family level, life experience and to play rugby.”

The move will see him link up with former England international Ben Foden, who has been primarily dispatched at centre by the New York franchise, as well as former Leinster outhalf Cathal Marsh.