'I must now face the facts': France's Romane Ménager ends playing career

France’s two-time Grand Slam-winning back-row Romane Ménager said it was ‘time to listen to her body’ as she called time on her playing career at the age of 29.

“After two seasons of doing everything possible to return to the field in the best possible conditions, and thanks to the support of competent, caring and dedicated people, I must now face the facts,” the 68-cap international wrote in a social media post.

“It is time to listen to my body. Following difficulties in recovering after several concussions, and after numerous discussions with the medical staff, we have made the decision to end my playing career in order to preserve my health.”

The 29-year-old returned to the pitch in April 2025 following several months out with concussion – only to suffer another head injury in France’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations match against Italy in Parma that same month, which prompted her to withdraw from selection for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 later that year.

“The doctors’ diagnosis was clear: no return to rugby before the end of the summer,” she told the FFR’s website at the time. “I understood that the World Cup would take place without me. It’s not easy to accept… but I realised one essential thing – my health comes first, especially when it comes to my head. It’s not something you can afford to gamble with or take risks on.”

She had hoped to return to rugby with the France sevens squad after a six-month break from the game. But she failed to recover well enough for a return to top-level competition.

In her post on Instagram, Ménager paid tribute to the teammates, coaches, the staff, the volunteers and supporters who had, she said, “contributed to making this path something unique”.

Her public retirement post opened with a memory: “22 years ago, a little girl discovered rugby in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. This is where it all began. That’s where I learned to love this sport, but above all to understand its values: sharing, combativity, resilience. Values deeply rooted in this sport that have built me well beyond the pitch.

“Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to wear the colours of Montpellier and, most importantly, to realise my dream as a little girl: to wear the France shirt and represent my country. Above all, I have been fortunate to cross the path of exceptional, passionate, committed and inspiring women. This is probably the most beautiful gift rugby has ever offered me.”

She added: “If I close this chapter today, I do it certain that the story is far from over. The most beautiful pages are yet to be written. I’m proud to see the evolution of women’s rugby and most importantly the commitment, passion and investment of all the women who make it live and progress every day.”

Ménager won two French championships, alongside twin sister Marine, with Lille and Montpellier, Six Nations titles in 2016 and 2018, and was a member of the France squad that finished third at the Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2017 and 2021.

Marine also retired from rugby after co-captaining France at the last World Cup.