I doubt if any RWC has known events like this.
After the France-Ireland match on Sunday not one, but two citings were entered by Ireland.
Manae Feleu, co-captain of France, was accused of a dangerous tackle. But far more serious, Axelle Berthoumieu; the blind-side flanker, was accused of biting Aoife Wafer’s arm.
A disciplinary committee met the next day and delivered what looked like an unparalleled verdict within the confines of women’s RWCs. Berthoumieu was banned for 12 matches, which meant she couldn’t take the field again until 1 March 2026.
Feleu was given a 3-match ban. It meant the end of the tournament for them. Both appealed.
Today, Tuesday, a second independent committee met to review the two cases. I suspect their discussions lasted a good long while.
But the outcome favoured the players: their bans were reduced to 8 and 2 matches respectively.
We should bear in mind that the first committee had already reduced the bans. Berthoumieu’s punishment amounted at first to 18 matches; Feleu’s to 6.
In both cases mitigation played its part. The Tuesday committee recognised the players’ remorse, good playing record and admission of guilt.
Outsiders unfamiliar with the intricacies of rugby laws might wonder how many times mitigation can come into play.
Background
TV pictures clearly showed Wafer holding her arm and, we assume, mentioning the alleged incident to her captain, Sam Monaghan. Monaghan at once spoke to the referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron. She replied that she hadn’t seen it. No wonder, it took place under a heap of bodies.
What is less clear is the role of the TMO, Ian Tempest (RFU). He stated at some stage that no camera showed conclusive evidence of the alleged act. His view was supported by the FPRO (the foul-play review officer). Would an extra dozen cameras on the ground have helped? Probably not. But a single clip widely shown on various platforms seemed to show the act.
Berthoumieu did indeed confess her fault and subsequently gave a profuse apology.
The Officials’ actions
Questions might be asked about ABT’s initial response. She didn’t request an immediate review. After the game I wondered if this might affect her chances of officiating any of the remaining games (two semis and the final).
Now we know. Su Carty (IRFU), Chair of WR’s Match Officials Selection Committee and a distinguished member of the executive board, and Alhambra Nievas, boss of women’s referees, were obviously satisfied that she acted properly. She has been chosen, along with Maggie Cogger-Orr, to take the two semi-finals.
Ireland
The Irish are bound to feel very hard done by. They had a clear lead at half-time. In the second half France came back to take the game by 5 points. What, the Irish ask, would the result have been if one or both of the miscreants had been promptly sent from the field?
I’m unaware of any circumstances in which a result can be subsequently altered.
France
It is well nigh impossible to imagine the effect these events will have on the French squad. At least they know they will face England at the weekend without the two players. Feleu’s absence will be felt more harshly.
England have been their bugbear for the past seven years. Now it’s as if they will be competing with one hand tied behind their back.
These unpalatable events bring me back to Gaelle Mignot, the co-coach.
I was unfortunate enough to spot a video clip of her, giving a pre-match gee-up to her troops. This was during the pool stages.
The diminutive figure stood between two lines of players as she – I choose my word carefully – ranted at them.
One phrase stuck out, referring no doubt to the length of the tournament: “Six semaines, six semaines!” six weeks). She repeated it a total of six times, all fortissimo.
Perhaps her players were quite used to harangues of this sort, but it disturbed me. Impossible to imagine Lesley Mackenzie (Japan) or Jo Yapp (Australia) failing to offer words of warmth and encouragement to their teams before they trot out to face the foe.
Then, during the Ireland-France game you may have spotted glimpses of Mignot in the coaches’ box barely able to contain her emotions.
I wonder how she has reacted to the events of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
