French prop Ambre Mwayembe has been ruled out of the 2025 Rugby World Cup after suffering a fractured right ankle (malleolus) during training. The 21-year-old, capped 19 times for France’s national women’s team, sustained the injury on Thursday and will not be available for the tournament set to begin on August 22 in England.
Key Squad Loss for France Ahead of World Cup
Mwayembe was part of France’s 38-player preliminary squad and had participated in every match of the most recent Six Nations Championship. Her injury comes just weeks before the final squad announcement and just days after she was officially signed by Stade Toulousain, leaving both club and country without one of their key front-row players.
According to sources close to the French team, her recovery timeline will prevent her from being included in the final 32-player squad, which is scheduled to be announced this Saturday.
France’s World Cup Campaign Begins August 23
The French women’s XV will begin their World Cup journey on August 23 against Italy in Exeter, England. Prior to that, they will play a high-stakes warm-up match on August 9 in Mont-de-Marsan against tournament favorites England, who have not lost to France since 2018.
Summary
Ambre Mwayembe’s injury is a significant blow to France’s front row depth heading into the Rugby World Cup. Her absence will require quick adjustments from the coaching staff as the countdown to England 2025 continues.
