French biter faces three-month ban

An Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) convened to consider citing complaints issued against Axelle Berthoumieu (Law 9.12, biting) and Manae Feleu (Law 9.13, dangerous tackle) following France’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarter-final victory over Ireland in Exeter on 14 September.

The FPRC, chaired by Brenda Heather-Latu (Samoa), joined by Ofisa Tonu’u (New Zealand) and Valeriu Toma (Romania), reviewed the cases and proposed a 12-match sanction for Berthoumieu and a three-match sanction for Feleu (reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention Programme).

Feleu has not accepted the proposed sanction from the FPRC and her appeal will be heard by a Disciplinary Committee. In relation to, Berthoumieu, while the player accepted that the action warranted a red card, the proposed length of the sanction is being appealed and the matter will now be heard by a Disciplinary Committee. Both hearings are provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 16 September.

In accordance with the remit of the expedited off-field sanction process trial, sanctions are proposed in line with Appendix 1 of Regulation 17. The FPRC meets without the attendance of the player or their representatives, or World Rugby. However, written submissions may be provided by the player to the FPRC for consideration.

The FPRC has the power to:

• Issue a warning
• Offer the player a proposed sanction based on Appendix 1 of Regulation 17
• Refer the matter for a full hearing before a Disciplinary Committee
• Dismiss the red card and/or citings only in the case of mistaken identity

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Axelle Berthoumieu

In determining the proposed sanction for Berthoumieu, the FPRC noted the player accepted that foul play occurred and that a citing was warranted. The committee reviewed the matter including written, evidence obtained post-match, as well as all broadcast angles, and determined that Berthoumieu’s actions were contrary to Law 9.12 (physical abuse, biting) and upheld the citing.

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.

On the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee decided that the offending warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of 18 matches. The committee awarded a deduction of six matches resulting in a final sanction of 12 matches. Although the player acknowledged the foul play and was remorseful full mitigation was not given due to the seriousness of the player’s actions, and that the player had the opportunity not to continue with the action.

It was therefore proposed that Berthoumieu is suspended for the remainder of France’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches, their upcoming semi-final against England and either the Bronze or Final match on 27 September, and a further 10 matches in her domestic championship. She will be free to play after 1 March 2026.

Manae Feleu

In determining the sanction for Feleu, the FPRC noted the player accepted that foul play occurred, but not that it warranted a citing (red card threshold). The committee reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, and determined that Feleu’s actions were contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle), that her actions were reckless and that there was contact with the Ireland player on the shoulder and subsequently head to head, at height and with speed. The Committee did not find any perceptible drop in the Ireland player’s height that would have mitigated this. The FPRC therefore found that the citing was warranted.

On the basis of all the evidence before them, the committee decided that the offending warranted the mandatory mid-range entry point of six matches. The committee decided to award full 50 per cent mitigation resulting in a final sanction of three matches. This will be reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention should the player wish to apply for it.

It was therefore proposed that Feleu is suspended for the remainder of France’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches, their upcoming semi-final against England and either the Bronze or Final match on 27 September.