Since 1988, Société Générale has organised the Talent d'Or Société Générale man of the match award at each French international game.

For novices who are not glued to matches on their TV, Talent d'Or Société Générale is a man of the match award for the best player in a match involving the French team. The prize is based on an individual’s talent, courage and performance. Votes are totted up over the full 80 minutes, and viewers can win tickets for France’s next matches in a draw.

On Sunday February 7 2010, the French rugby team played its opening 2010 Six Nations match at Murrayfield (Edinburgh). A century after taking their first steps in this legendary tournament, the French beat Scotland by 18 points to 9. This initial success is promising for the rest of the tournament, with France’s next match being against Ireland on Saturday February 13 at the Stade de France, Paris.

“Bastareaud le costaud” voted Talent d’Or (Man of the Match)

For his return to the national side after six months away, the strength of Mathieu Bastareaud (outside centre) was too much for the Scottish defence in Edinburgh.

Not just using his size, he took advantage of a fine pass from fly-half François Trinh-Duc to score his first try for French in five appearances, in the right-hand corner. Ten minutes later, Mathieu Bastareaud, with his number 13 on his back, scored again, this time on the left side. The Stade Français player ran 40 metres alone, scoring after a dummy with Clément Poitrenaud.

Since the match, L’Equipe newspaper is calling him “Bastareaud le costaud!” (Beefy Bastaraud), whilst Midi Olympique says it was a winning return to the French team for him. And indeed the spectators voted him Man of the Match, awarding him the Talent d’Or Societe Generale.

The next instalment of the Six Nations will be on Saturday, when the French host the reigning Six Nations champions.