France hooker Agathe Gerin is heading into the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 with a fire that goes far beyond the game. Behind her drive is a heartbreaking family story of loss, hope, and courage.

The 30-year-old and her wife, Adele, were expecting twins this November. Just days after Gerin celebrated her selection for the World Cup squad on 2 August, their world was shaken. Doctors told them they had lost one of their babies, Aime.

On Tuesday, 19 August, Adele gave birth at just 28 weeks. Their son Leonard arrived early, his tiny cries filling the room with life and strength. Beside him, their little angel Aime was laid to rest.

Gerin shared the news on social media, describing the mix of “unspeakable pain” and “crazy hope” that came with raising Leonard. The newborn is now receiving the best care in hospital, while the family, who also have a daughter, Nina, begin to heal.

Despite the tragedy, Gerin says it has only sharpened her hunger to succeed at the tournament.

“In these intense moments, you may wonder, how can I be 100% on the pitch?” she wrote. “So I’ll ask you, who can doubt the strength of a woman who has just become a mother?”

For Gerin, rugby is no longer just about sport. It’s about showing courage to her children and proving that even in the hardest trials, there is strength to move forward.

“Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, I’m coming with a hunger only mother wolves can measure,” she declared.

France open their campaign against Italy on Saturday (20:15 BST) in Exeter. They will also face Brazil and South Africa in the pool stages.

At the last World Cup in 2022, France reached the semi-finals before narrowly losing to eventual champions New Zealand. This time, Gerin’s story brings an even deeper sense of purpose to the French squad.

Will Genia, one of the most respected and decorated players in Australian rugby, has announced his retirement at the age of 37.

The legendary scrum-half became the 78th player to captain the Wallabies and wore the green and gold jersey 110 times over a decade-long international career. That makes him the seventh-most capped Wallaby of all time.

Genia played at three Rugby World Cups, including the 2011 tournament where he helped Australia reach the semi-finals against New Zealand. His outstanding performances that year earned him a nomination for the IRB Player of the Year award.

In 2018, he joined an elite group of Wallabies by becoming just the 10th Australian to reach 100 Test caps, a milestone achieved at Twickenham against England. His final international appearance came in 2019.

On Instagram, Genia shared a heartfelt message:
“Thank you to the teams, my team-mates, coaches, teachers, friends and all the wonderful people in the game who helped me, guided me, shaped me, included me, put up with me and made me better. Thank you to the fans for making the game what it is. Finally – thank you rugby for all the joy. It was always the game and then everything else.”

Away from the Wallabies, Genia enjoyed a successful club career with the Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels, Stade Français in France, and most recently, Kintetsu Liners in Japan.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh paid tribute, saying:
“Will was a world-class number nine who starred on international rugby’s grandest stages for more than a decade. He has the rare distinction of having captained his country and played a leading role in some of his generation’s most famous matches.”

Genia leaves behind a legacy as one of the finest scrum-halves to ever represent Australia – a leader, playmaker, and fan favourite whose impact on the game will long be remembered.

The world already knows Ilona Maher as a powerhouse on the rugby field and a star on social media, but now the American rugby international could be setting her sights on something much bigger – WWE and even Hollywood.

The 29-year-old, who has nearly nine million followers across Instagram, TikTok, and X, has revealed she’s been approached by World Wrestling Entertainment. Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Maher laughed that her wrestling alter-ego could be called “Maher-vellous.”

“I’ve been approached before by the WWE,” she said. “I don’t know if I would do it, but there’s great money in it.”

Aiming for Hollywood

For Maher, wrestling wouldn’t just be about stepping into the ring – it would be about using it as a springboard into acting. She says she’d love to follow in the footsteps of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena, who both used WWE careers as a launchpad into blockbuster films.

“I would love to get into the acting space and the scripted space,” Maher explained. “I’ll probably start off small – maybe as a hot assassin or something like that. Not a rom-com just yet!”

Still a Rugby Player First

Despite her growing fame and new opportunities, Maher insists she wants to be recognised first and foremost as a rugby player. She already has an Olympic bronze medal from Paris 2024 with the US sevens team and is now representing her country at the 15-a-side World Cup.

Earlier this year she signed a short-term contract with Premiership Women’s Rugby side Bristol Bears, where her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury set a new league attendance record of 9,240. That move also boosted the club’s social media reach.

Yet Maher admits it can be frustrating when people only see her as an “influencer.”

“One comment once was: ‘Are you going to watch the Instagrammer play?’ And I was like, no – I’ve been to two Olympics, I’ve won a bronze medal, I am a good rugby player who loves the sport,” she said. “I do social media because I have to, because it’s not sustainable to be a women’s rugby player otherwise. But I want to be known as a rugby player.”

Big Test Against England

Maher has been named at outside centre for the USA’s World Cup opener against world number ones and heavy favourites England at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August (kick-off 19:30 BST).

England, who haven’t lost in over 1,000 days, are the clear favourites, but Maher sees that as a chance for the Eagles to play with freedom.

“I’m going into it with the mindset that we have something to gain, not to lose,” she said. “They’re going to be very tough opponents, and we’ll have to be on our A-game every single minute. But I’m excited to play in front of 40,000 people. Whether we win or lose, I just want to enjoy it.”

The USA will also face Australia and Samoa in Pool A, with the top two sides from each group reaching the quarter-finals.

What’s Next for Maher?

Whether she sticks to rugby, steps into a WWE ring, or ends up in Hollywood, one thing is clear – Ilona Maher has the charisma, drive, and star quality to shine wherever she goes. For now, though, she remains focused on rugby’s biggest stage.

The British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has emphasized that players outside the traditional international setup and those based in France remain under consideration for the 2025 tour to Australia. This move could significantly expand the talent pool available, ensuring the Lions select the best players regardless of where they are currently playing.

Farrell’s Inclusive Selection Approach

Farrell, who will take charge of the Lions for the first time, highlighted the importance of keeping all potential squad members engaged. While traditionally, selection has leaned heavily on players actively involved in their national teams, Farrell has made it clear that no door is closed.

“Every player who is eligible should believe they have a chance,” Farrell stated. “We want to put the best team out there, and that means looking at all the talent available, whether they are playing international rugby at the moment or not.”

This announcement is particularly significant for players based in the French Top 14. Historically, selection for the Lions has favored those playing in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, largely due to club agreements and availability. However, Farrell’s approach suggests a shift in thinking, potentially including star performers from the French league.

The Impact of French-Based Players on Selection

Several top-tier British and Irish players have moved to France in recent years, drawn by lucrative contracts and the highly competitive environment of the Top 14. The challenge for these players has often been balancing club commitments with national duty, as French clubs do not always release players outside of World Rugby-mandated windows.

With Farrell’s more flexible approach, these players could be in contention despite their club affiliations.

A New Era for the Lions?

Farrell’s stance signals a departure from past selection policies, which often excluded players based outside the UK and Ireland due to logistical and contractual challenges. While this could lead to negotiations with clubs over player availability, it ultimately ensures that the best talent represents the Lions on their 2025 tour.

Moreover, including non-internationals could see some previously overlooked players making their case for selection. Individuals who have excelled at club level but have not had international opportunities due to coaching decisions or injuries may now find themselves on the Lions’ radar.

The Challenge of Cohesion

While widening the selection criteria could strengthen the squad, it also presents challenges. One of the main strengths of the Lions is their ability to build chemistry quickly, despite players coming from different nations and playing styles. Selecting non-internationals or those who have been out of the Test environment for some time may require additional focus on squad unity.

Farrell acknowledged this but remained confident in his ability to create a strong team dynamic. “The Lions is about bringing players together, uniting them under one jersey, and making them believe they are part of something bigger,” he said. “As long as we get the balance right, there’s no reason why we can’t integrate players from different backgrounds successfully.”

Potential Candidates for the 2025 Tour

Beyond the established internationals, several players who are not currently in national setups or are based abroad could come into contention under Farrell’s approach.

These players bring unique strengths to their club sides but have either been overlooked for international duty or chosen to play abroad. Farrell’s approach means their Lions ambitions remain very much alive.

Final Thoughts

Andy Farrell’s open-minded selection strategy for the British & Irish Lions 2025 tour could reshape the squad composition and enhance its overall strength. By considering non-internationals and French-based players, Farrell is prioritizing form and ability over location and recent international involvement. While this presents new challenges in terms of squad cohesion and club negotiations, it also ensures the best possible team takes the field against Australia. The rugby world will watch with keen interest to see how this approach unfolds in the coming months.