In the World Cup quarter-finals
Rugby player bites the opponent-twelve games lock
16.09.2025 – 07:14 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
At the women’s Rugby World Cup, France continues to fight for the title. The tournament went for a player.
After a bizarre scene in the World Cup quarter-finals against Ireland, the Rugby World Cup of women for France’s international Axelle Berthoumieu ended prematurely. The 25-year-old was blocked by the World Rugby World Association for twelve games. The reason: she had bitten her opponent Irish Aoife in the middle of the game in a crowd.
Ireland’s captain Sam Monaghan said after the game about the corresponding scene: “I spoke to the referee. Aoife told me. I didn’t see it myself, but I talked to the referee myself and asked her.” Shortly after the incident, Aoife had already interpreted the referee Aimee Barrett-Theron on her arm and thus indicated the bite of her opponent.
On Monday, Berthoumieu had to face disciplinary proceedings, as did her teammate Manae Feleu, who was charged for a high tackling. An independent committee for reviewing fouls then imposed the twelve game lock for Berthoumieu. Feleu has to expose three games.
However, the punishments are not yet. Feleu did not accept the lock, wrote World Rugby. Your calling will be negotiated by a disciplinary committee. Berthoumieu, in turn, agreed that her offense justifies a red card. However, it also appealed against the proposed duration of the punishment. Accordingly, your case also ends up in front of a disciplinary committee. The hearings are scheduled for Tuesday.
France had managed to defeat Ireland in the quarterfinals on Sunday with 18:13, although the team was already behind 0:13. On Saturday the English selection is waiting for the French in the semi -finals in Bristol. New Zealand meets Canada on Friday evening.