France's flanker Axelle Berthoumieu in the blue jersey tackles England's number 8 Alex Matthews at Twickenham, London on April 29, 2023. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
France flanker Axelle Berthoumieu admitted to biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer in their Women's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal but appealed her 12-match suspension on Monday, September 15.
Berthoumieu's admission occurred in a foul play review hearing. The panel said she accepted her bite was worthy of a red card and the off-field citing was warranted. No action was taken against her on the field at the time.
Wafer accused Berthoumieu of biting her arm during France's 18-13 win on Sunday in Exeter. The referee referred it to the Television Match Official (TMO) to review the footage.
World Rugby said in a statement, "In reviewing the matter live, the TMO was unable to determine clear and obvious foul play and did not have the benefit of additional evidential submissions to corroborate."
