French Rugby Star Thibaud Flament Announces Wife’s Pregnancy After Missing France-Ireland Match for Fertility Treatment

Thibaud Flament, the Toulouse second-row forward, has announced that his wife Ethel is pregnant following a successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The couple shared the news on social media on April 16, 2026, describing it as their “little miracle” after a challenging journey to start a family.

Flament made headlines earlier in the Six Nations tournament when he withdrew from France’s opening match against Ireland on February 1, 2026, to accompany Ethel to her medical appointments. The Stade Toulousain player had previously disclosed in January that Ethel suffers from endometriosis, which led the couple to pursue medically assisted reproduction.

In a heartfelt Instagram post accompanied by a video, Ethel wrote: “This journey hasn’t been simple for us. The choices to make, the treatments, the operations, the fatigue, the pains… The emotions shaken by the hormones, the body changes… So many trials that leave traces.” She added: “Today, I retain the strength that this IVF journey gave us, the love even stronger that unites us and this little us that grows.”

The announcement comes after Flament’s return to the French national team for the second match against Wales on February 8, 2026, where he came on as a substitute. France lost that match 54-12 in Cardiff.

Flament, who plays his club rugby for Stade Toulousain in the Top 14, has been a regular fixture in the French second row since his international debut. His decision to prioritize his wife’s health over national team duty sparked widespread support from fans and fellow players across the rugby community.

The couple began their IVF journey in early 2026, as disclosed by Flament in a mid-January interview with L’Équipe. At that time, he explained that they had discovered conception would not be straightforward due to Ethel’s endometriosis diagnosis.

Stade Toulousain confirmed Flament’s absence from the Ireland match was approved by both the club and national team staff, emphasizing their support for players facing personal health challenges. The Top 14 club has since expressed pride in how Flament balanced his professional commitments with his personal journey.

As France prepares for its remaining Six Nations fixtures, Flament’s availability for selection remains dependent on his club duties with Toulouse. The team is currently positioned in the middle of the Six Nations table following mixed results in the tournament’s opening rounds.

The announcement has been met with an outpouring of congratulations from rugby figures worldwide, highlighting the sport’s growing recognition of players’ personal health journeys. Many noted how Flament’s openness helps reduce stigma around fertility treatments in professional sports.

Looking ahead, Flament is expected to rejoin Toulouse training ahead of their next Top 14 fixture against Montpellier, scheduled for April 25, 2026. His international prospects for the summer tours will depend on his form and the national team’s selection policies.