- Cléa Menier collapsed on the pitch during an under-18s club match in France on Saturday, October 17, 2026
- The teenager was rushed to hospital in Bordeaux, where she received emergency and intensive care treatment
- France's rugby federation has since announced nationwide tributes to be held across professional and amateur matches
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A 17-year-old amateur rugby player in France has died following a serious injury she sustained during a club match.
Source: Facebook
The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from the country's rugby community.
What we know about Menier's death
Cléa Menier was playing for Union du Bassin Marmandais' under-18s side against Agen Agglo Rugby on Saturday, October 17, 2026, when the incident occurred.
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Local media reported that she suffered a serious head injury during a tackle, though the club and the French Rugby Federation (FFR) had not officially confirmed the specific medical details at the time of reporting.
According to those reports, she went into cardiopulmonary arrest on the pitch and received immediate medical attention before being airlifted to Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux for emergency and intensive care.
She died four days later, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The FFR broke its silence with a statement pledging to do everything possible to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The federation also said it would be arranging psychological support for Menier's teammates, coaches and family members as they come to terms with the loss.
As a mark of respect, the FFR announced a minute of applause to be observed at both professional and amateur rugby matches across France the following weekend.
Players at those fixtures were expected to wear black armbands in her memory, a gesture that would reach clubs and supporters from the top tiers of the sport down to grassroots level.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
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