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.
