Biting incident mars France's Rugby World Cup win over Ireland at Sandy Park

France’s dramatic 18-13 comeback win over Ireland in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 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.

Footage appears to show French back-rower Axelle Berthoumieu biting the arm of Aoife Wafer in the 42nd minute of the match.

Wafer was competing for a turnover when Berthoumieu appeared to clamp down on her forearm in a ruck.

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 “disgusting”.

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.

That looked like a bite. #FRAvIRE#RWC2025 pic.twitter.com/LJDt1jY05M

— Conductor Bets 🏉 (@BrendonWessels) September 14, 2025

“We’ve literally just stepped off the pitch,” Ireland Women’s head coach Scott Bemand told reporters after game. “If there’s any bits to pick up, we’ll pick them up in the next hour.

“I think in terms of process, your on-pitch leadership would mention to the referee. Then it’s up to the team officials to deal with it, should they see fit at that point.

“At the moment, I haven’t seen anything. I’ve literally just stepped in here.”

France co-coach Gaëlle 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.

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.

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

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

With Ireland pressing to extend their lead, a misjudgement left Amee-Leigh Costigan exposed. Joanna Grisez 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.

Bourgeois’ 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.

The result ends Ireland’s 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.