{"id":137205,"date":"2025-09-14T18:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T18:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/137205\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T18:08:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T18:08:07","slug":"biting-incident-mars-frances-rugby-world-cup-win-over-ireland-at-sandy-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/137205\/","title":{"rendered":"Biting incident mars France’s Rugby World Cup win over Ireland at Sandy Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

France\u2019s dramatic 18-13 comeback win over Ireland<\/a> in the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup<\/a> quarter-final has been overshadowed by controversy as footage of an ugly incident involving a French and a Irish player does the rounds on social media. <\/p>\n

Footage appears to show French back-rower Axelle Berthoumieu<\/a> biting the arm of Aoife Wafer<\/a> in the final play of the match.<\/p>\n

With the game still in the balance at Sandy Park, Wafer was competing for a turnover when Berthoumieu appeared to clamp down on her forearm in a ruck. <\/p>\n

The alleged incident was not picked up by the officials at the time but is now widely circulating on social media, with one X user labelling it \u201cdisgusting\u201d.<\/p>\n

Berthoumieu is almost certain to face a citing and, if found guilty, will receive a lengthy suspension that would rule her out of the remainder of the tournament at the very least.<\/p>\n

That looked like a bite. #FRAvIRE<\/a>#RWC2025<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LJDt1jY05M<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Conductor Bets \ud83c\udfc9 (@BrendonWessels) September 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve literally just stepped off the pitch,\u201d Ireland Women\u2019s head coach Scott Bemand told reporters after game. \u201cIf there\u2019s any bits to pick up, we\u2019ll pick them up in the next hour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think in terms of process, your on-pitch leadership would mention to the referee. Then it\u2019s up to the team officials to deal with it, should they see fit at that point.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the moment, I haven\u2019t seen anything. I\u2019ve literally just stepped in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

France<\/a> co-coach Ga\u00eblle Mignot said she had not seen the footage of the alleged bite, explaining her side had been celebrating in the changing rooms and would wait to see what happens.<\/p>\n

It was a cruel end for Ireland, who looked to be in command after surging into a 13-0 half-time lead, only to watch France storm back to snatch a place in the last four.<\/p>\n

Scott Bemand\u2019s side started with real authority. Niamh O\u2019Dowd was stopped short but her front-row partner Linda Djougang<\/a> powered over for the opening score. Dannah O\u2019Brien was wide with the conversion, but Ireland struck again soon after when Stacey Flood<\/a> finished off a sweeping move while Rose Bernadou<\/a> was in the sin bin. O\u2019Brien added a penalty before the break and Ireland turned around with a commanding 13-0 advantage.<\/p>\n

But France were unrecognisable in the second half. Morgane Bourgeois<\/a> cut the gap with a penalty before Grace Moore\u2019s yellow card swung momentum further towards the French. Charlotte Escudero<\/a> burst through to score from close range, and then came the killer blow.<\/p>\n

With Ireland pressing to extend their lead, a misjudgement left Amee-Leigh Costigan exposed. Joanna Grisez<\/a> pounced, collecting possession inside her own half and racing the length of the field to score a try that turned the quarter-final on its head.<\/p>\n

Bourgeois\u2019 late penalty pushed the French out to a five-point cushion and Ireland, despite throwing everything at the closing stages, could not find the try they desperately needed.<\/p>\n

The result ends Ireland\u2019s hopes of a second-ever World Cup semi-final appearance and leaves them to reflect on a squandered opportunity. France, meanwhile, march into the last four but face the very real prospect of losing Berthoumieu for the rest of the tournament as the disciplinary process looms.<\/p>\n