Axelle Berthoumieu was given a 12-game ban for biting the arm of Aoife Wafer of Ireland. Ben Brady/INPHO/Shutterstock

France’s Axelle Berthoumieu has been given a 12-match ban for biting Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during their game at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

In France’s 18-13 quarterfinal victory over Ireland in Exeter, England, TV coverage showed Berthoumieu appearing to bite Wafer’s arm during a penalty turnover.

No disciplinary action was handed out to the 25-year-old during the match, but Ireland captain Sam Monaghan said she raised the incident with referee Aimee Barrett-Theron.

On Monday, World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, said an independent foul play review committee (FPRC) had handed out a 12-game suspension – down from the maximum penalty of 18 game

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