Fans outraged as France star’s ban for biting is REDUCED
Rugby NewsWednesday, 17 September 2025 at 08:00
World Rugby have confirmed that France stars Axelle Berthoumieu and Manae Feleu will play no further part in the Women’s Rugby World Cup following disciplinary hearings – with Berthoumieu handed a headline-grabbing suspension for biting.
The flanker was found guilty of sinking her teeth into Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during France’s tense 18-13 quarter-final victory, an incident that sparked outrage on social media and left many baffled as to how the TMO failed to pick it up in real time.
Initially, the Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) hit Berthoumieu with an 18-week ban, which would have sidelined her until March 2026. This is because the FPRC and the independent Disciplinary Committee did not agree on the level of mitigation the player should receive. The FPRC ruled that full mitigation was not warranted due to the seriousness of her actions and the fact that she had the opportunity not to continue. This was despite Berthoumieu acknowledging foul play and showing remorse.
However, after her appeal, the suspension was reduced to nine matches, meaning she won’t be eligible to play again until December 2025.
Feleu, meanwhile, will serve a three-match suspension after her dangerous tackle was upheld by the Disciplinary Committee. She will miss France’s semi-final against England as well as either the bronze or gold medal match. The second-rower can cut her ban to two games by completing World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
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The latest disciplinary update released via World Rugby read: “The Disciplinary Committee agreed and concluded that the appropriate entry point was mid-range. Therefore, the starting point is a suspension of 18 weeks.
“In considering mitigation, in light of the player’s admission, her clean disciplinary record, her remorse and public apology, the committee concluded that the player was entitled to full mitigation of 50 per cent.
“The FPRC had taken a different view to the level of mitigation, stating: ‘Full mitigation was not given due to the seriousness of the player’s actions as it appeared from the video footage that the player appeared to nudge Ireland number seven’s forearm twice before she bit her, suggesting an intention to bite the Ireland player, and two opportunities to stop and not continue with a bite, not taken by the player.’
With both players now ruled out, France’s hopes of upsetting the Red Roses in the last four have been dealt a significant blow – but it’s Berthoumieu’s bite that has stolen the headlines.
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2027 Rugby World Cup Draw: England get tough pool
The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark tournament, expanding to 24 teams and hosted by Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
The official pool draw is scheduled for December 2025, but based on current World Rugby rankings, here's a predicted breakdown of the pools and profiles of the teams involved.
Pool A
New Zealand – The Mighty All Blacks
The All Blacks are perennial powerhouses with three World Cup titles (1987, 2011, 2015). They reached the final in 2023 but were narrowly defeated by South Africa 12–11.
Argentina – Los Pumas on the Prowl
Los Pumas are known for their physical play and passionate fan base, consistently challenging top-tier teams.
Portugal – The Lusitanian Lancers
Emerging as a strong contender, Portugal has been improving steadily, surprising bigger nations with their grit.
USA – The Eagle Soars
The Eagles are steadily developing their rugby program, with increasing participation and performance levels.
Pool B
Ireland – The Emerald Warriors
Ireland boasts a rich rugby history and a strong domestic league, making them a formidable opponent in any pool.
Scotland – The Braveheart Tacklers
Scotland is known for tactical play and resilience, consistently challenging the sport's elite.
Uruguay – Los Teros Tenacious
Uruguay has grown significantly in international rugby, showcasing strong defense and spirited play.
Chile – The Rugby Condors
Chile is making strides, with a growing domestic scene and increasing international experience.
Pool C
South Africa – The Springbok Stalwarts
South Africa are masters of forward play and history-makers, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a thrilling 12–11 victory over New Zealand.
Fiji – The Flying Fijians
Fiji’s flair and skill make them exciting to watch, blending tradition with dynamic attacking rugby.
Tonga – The Island Titans
Tonga brings relentless physicality and passion, often punching above their weight.
Romania – The Oak Strongmen
Romania has a long-standing rugby tradition, emphasizing forward dominance and set-piece strength.
Pool D
France – Les Bleus Unleashed
France is unpredictable and dynamic, capable of taking down any team with flair and creativity.
Italy – The Azzurri Avengers
Italy has steadily improved, developing young talent and focusing on competitive consistency.
Spain – The Iberian Bulls
Spain is emerging in European rugby, combining speed, skill, and growing experience on the international stage.
Hong Kong China – The Dragon Chargers
Hong Kong China qualified for the first time by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship, defeating South Korea 70–22 in the final. This marks a significant milestone for rugby in Asia.
Pool E
England – The Red Rose Rampagers
England has a rich rugby heritage, with a strong domestic league and impressive international pedigree.
Georgia – The Scrum Kings
Known for their formidable scrum and forward play, Georgia is a rising force in European rugby.
Samoa – The Island Hurricanes
Samoa’s team combines skill, physicality, and a passionate rugby culture.
Canada – The Maple Warriors
Canada continues to develop their program, aiming to compete strongly on the world stage.
Pool F
Australia – The Wallabies on Home Turf
The host nation brings talent and experience, ready to dazzle crowds across seven cities.
Wales – The Dragon Fire
Wales is known for passionate supporters and a team that often exceeds expectations.
Japan – The Rising Sun Speedsters
Japan has become a force with speed, discipline, and memorable performances in previous World Cups.
Zimbabwe – The Sables’ Return
Zimbabwe qualified for 2027 by defeating Namibia 30–28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.
Tournament Format
The 24-team format features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including a Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Host Cities
Matches will take place across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville.
Ticketing
Over 2.5 million tickets will be available, with travel packages launching in 2026.
QUIZ: Can you name all 26 teams to have played at the Men’s Rugby World Cups?
Think you know your rugby history? Test your knowledge and see if you can name all 26 teams that have played at the Men's Rugby World Cup.
You've got just 5 minutes on the clock – no pressure!
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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