France back row Axelle Berthoumieu has been banned for 12 matches after being cited for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.
The suspension rules the 25-year-old out of Saturday’s semi-final against England and either the bronze medal match or the final on 27 September. She will also miss a further 10 domestic fixtures, with the ban extending through to March 2026.
Berthoumieu admitted to committing a red-card offence but will appeal the length of the sanction. The incident occurred in the second half of France’s 18-13 win at Sandy Park, as Ireland won a penalty turnover.
Ireland captain Sam Monaghan raised the alleged bite with referee Aimee Barrett-Theron during the match, but no action was taken at the time. The television match official (TMO) stated they could not identify “clear and obvious foul play”.
However, at the Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) hearing, the panel used written evidence and all available broadcast footage to reach its decision.
France were trailing 13-0 at the time of the incident but came back to win and secure a semi-final spot against England at Ashton Gate.
France will also be without second row and co-captain Manae Feleu, who received a three-match ban for a high tackle in the same game. That suspension may be reduced to two if she completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme, commonly known as “tackle school”.
Feleu has not accepted the decision and will also appeal, with both cases due to be reviewed by a disciplinary committee on Tuesday.
