France hooker Agathe Gerin is preparing for the Women's Rugby World Cup with an unparalleled determination, driven by a recent personal tragedy. The 30-year-old athlete and her wife Adele were expecting twins this November. However, just days after Gerin's World Cup squad selection on August 2, they lost one of their babies, Aime.

On August 19, 2025, Gerin's wife gave birth to the twins, Aime and Leonard, after only 28 weeks of pregnancy. Leonard, born prematurely, is receiving the best possible care. Gerin shared on social media, 'A few days after learning of my selection for the World Cup, we discovered that one of the twins, our Aime, had joined the clouds. It brought us unspeakable pain but also a crazy hope - to raise his brother for as long as possible in utero.'

Gerin's traumatic experience has only intensified her resolve to succeed in the tournament. 'In these intense moments, you may be wondering: how can she be 100% on the pitch? So I'll ask you a question - who can doubt the strength of a woman who has just become a mother?' she said. 'It's not just about playing rugby, it's about being the most inspirational role model for our kids.'

The couple also has a daughter, Nina. Gerin added, 'It's about courage - courage to take on my ambitions and my work for so many years [and] courage to show them that life is a succession of trials in which you have to draw all the positives and sometimes move forward against the winds and tides.'

France, who reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup in 2022, narrowly losing to world champions New Zealand, will play their opening game against Italy on Saturday in Exeter. They will also face Brazil and South Africa in the pool stages. Gerin concluded, 'Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, I'm coming with a hunger that only mother wolves can measure.'