France flanker Axelle Berthoumieu has been banned for 12 matches after admitting to biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during Sunday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Exeter.
The foul play review panel said Berthoumieu accepted her bite was worthy of a red card, though no action was taken during the game. The citing commissioner later charged her, with the disciplinary committee starting at an 18-match sanction before reducing it by six for mitigating factors.
Wafer accused Berthoumieu of biting her arm in the second half of France’s dramatic 18–13 victory. While the referee referred the incident to the Television Match Official, World Rugby said the TMO was unable to find “clear and obvious” evidence at the time.
Berthoumieu is appealing the decision, as is France captain Manaé Feleu, who faces a three-game suspension for collapsing a maul — a ban that could keep her out of Saturday’s semifinal against England and potentially the final.
France, chasing their first-ever World Cup final appearance, could be without two key forwards as they prepare for a showdown with the Red Roses in Bristol.
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