Axelle Berthoumieu, France women’s back-rower, has seen her sanction reduced after appealing on Monday.

A bite and… remorse. Axelle Berthoumieu has come out of it rather well in the end. On Tuesday, the France back-rower was suspended for nine matches by an independent committee, where the initial sanction – imposed by the international federation – had been 12 matches. The France international (22 caps) had decided to appeal the day before. As a reminder, Berthoumieu bit Ireland’s Aoife Wafer during the last quarter-final, won by France (18-13). The image went round social media and provoked outrage.

The Stade Bordelais player admitted her act and apologised in a long message posted on her Instagram account on Monday evening. “On Sunday, during the match against Ireland, I lost my cool. I know that this is not acceptable and I am aware that it brings my World Cup to an end“, she began. Before continuing: “I want to offer my sincere apologies to Aoife Wafer and to the Ireland team, to my team-mates and our staff, to the FFR and to everyone who supports us“.

“Behaviour that is not acceptable”

“That is not the image I want to give, nor the player I want to be. I accept the sanction and I own it. Rugby is a sport of respect and that act has no place on a rugby pitch“, the 25-year-old went on. “She is right to apologise and to have regrets“, FFR president Florian Grill underlined for his part. It has to be said that Axelle Berthoumieu has got off lightly, at a time when the decisions of independent committees are often contested by the French camp, in the men’s game as much as the women’s. Initially, the flanker had been handed an 18-match suspension. The panel, however, decided on a 50% mitigation of the penalty thanks to the player’s clean record, “her remorse and her public apology”.

A suspension that must also stir consciences and whose seriousness should not be handed off. “It is something we do not condone in the slightest. That kind of behaviour is not acceptable on a rugby pitch“, France co-head coach Gaëlle Mignot fumed. For her own good and that of the group, Axelle Berthoumieu will be able to stay with her team-mates as they prepare for the semi-final against England (Saturday 20 September at 4.30pm).

And because bad news never comes alone, co-captain Manae Feleu will also miss out because of a dangerous tackle. Suspended for at least two matches, the lock will in any case miss the end of the competition. Two suspensions that land at the worst possible moment for France women, still in the running to win the first world trophy in their history.