# Fatal accidents involving French rugby players > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-accidents-involving-french-rugby-players > Updated: 2026-10-21T17:21:48.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2. In October 2026, two separate fatal incidents involving rugby players were reported in France. On October 9, 24-year-old Diego Descoubes, a prop for the Jeunesse Sportive Riscloise reserve team, died following a head-on collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the RD 935 near Villefranque. An investigation by the gendarmerie is underway. On October 17, 17-year-old Cléa Ménier, a player for Union du Bassin Marmandais, died following an under-18 national division match against Agen Agglo Rugby in Marmande. Ménier reportedly sustained a severe blow to the head during the match, resulting in cardiorespiratory arrest. Although emergency responders resuscitated her on the pitch, she was transported to Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) expressed “immense sadness and profound emotion,” describing the loss as a tragedy for the entire rugby family. The FFR has established psychological support services for teammates, coaches, and club members, and has announced an investigation to clarify the exact circumstances of the match accident. Tributes are planned across the sport, including a minute of applause before amateur and professional matches throughout France. Additionally, members of the French women's national team will wear black armbands during their upcoming match against the Black Ferns. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: French rugby player Cléa Menier dies after head injury Cléa Menier, a 17-year-old rugby player for Union du Bassin Marmandais, has died following a head injury sustained during a match in Marmande, France. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-rugby-player-dies-following-match-accident-in-marmande ### 2026-10-09: Rugby player Diego Descoubes dies in road accident Diego Descoubes, a 24-year-old rugby player for Jeunesse Sportive Riscloise, died Friday in a head-on collision with a truck in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rugby-player-diego-descoubes-dies-in-road-accident --- Cite as: Fatal accidents involving French rugby players. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-accidents-involving-french-rugby-players