Amateur rugby player Cléa Ménier died at age 17 on October 21 at Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux after suffering an injury during an Under-18s match in France five days earlier.
Cléa Ménier played as a back row for Union du Bassin Marmandais and suffered her fatal injury during an Under-18s match against Agen Agglo Rugby. The fixture took place on Saturday, October 17, at the Georges-Dartiailh stadium in Marmande, located in the Lot-et-Garonne department.
Responders Treat Player at Marmande Ground
Emergency responders treated the teenager directly on the pitch at the Marmande ground before she was transported to Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux. She remained hospitalized for five days before dying from her injuries on Wednesday, October 21. Neither her club nor rugby officials have publicly released the exact medical nature of the injury.
This is a terrible ordeal for our club. We will get through it together – united, standing in solidarity, and looking after one another.
Union du Bassin Marmandais
French media outlets have reported that the teenager sustained a violent blow to the head during the match, though that specific detail remains unconfirmed by official statements from her club or governing bodies. Both Union du Bassin Marmandais and the French Rugby Federation announced her death the same day she passed away.
Federation Establishes Psychological Support Unit
The French Rugby Federation established a psychological support unit in response to the tragedy. This resource assists team members, coaches, referees, and club members affected by the loss. The federation also stated that every effort will be made to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident.
This loss has deeply shaken the entire rugby family.
French Rugby Federation
The governing body expressed its full support and solidarity to the player’s family, loved ones, and everyone at Union du Bassin Marmandais. The club similarly paid tribute to the medical professionals who intervened at the ground and offered condolences to her friends and teammates.
Licence Holders Reach Seventy Thousand in France
In September 2025, the French Rugby Federation reported that the number of female licence holders reached approximately 70,000, representing a 38% increase compared to the previous year. Officials previously linked this surge to the performance of the national team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, where the French semifinal match against England drew an audience averaging over 3.8 million viewers on TF1, marking a broadcast record for women’s rugby in the country.
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