France's Women's Rugby World Cup campaign has been thrown into turmoil after two of their most influential players were handed suspensions that will see them miss the highly anticipated semi-final clash against England.
Lock Manae Feleu and back-row star Axelle Berthoumieu received their marching orders following dangerous tackles during France's quarter-final victory over Canada, leaving coach Gaëlle Mignot with a selection headache for the biggest match of the tournament.
Judicial Committee Delivers Crushing Blow
The independent judicial committee found both players guilty of committing dangerous tackles during the physical encounter against Canada. Berthoumieu's high shot on Canadian forward Tyson Beukeboom proved particularly costly, resulting in a three-match ban that effectively ends her World Cup journey.
Feleu received a slightly more lenient two-match suspension, but both punishments come as a devastating blow to French hopes of reaching the final. The suspensions highlight World Rugby's continued crackdown on dangerous contact to the head, with zero tolerance shown in the sport's premier tournament.
England Await Weakened French Side
The timing couldn't be worse for Les Bleues, who now face the tournament favourites without two of their most physical presences. England, fresh from their dominant performance against New Zealand, will sense blood in the water against a depleted French pack.
This disciplinary setback adds another chapter to the fierce rivalry between these two nations, with England having dominated recent encounters. The absence of Feleu's lineout expertise and Berthoumieu's destructive carrying power could prove decisive in what promises to be an epic battle for a place in the World Cup final.
French Camp Reacts to Setback
Team officials expressed disappointment with the decisions but acknowledged the need to respect the judicial process. Coach Mignot now faces the unenviable task of reshaping her forward pack against an English side known for their set-piece dominance and physicality.
The suspensions serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins at elite level rugby, where moments of ill-discipline can derail months of preparation and sacrifice. For Berthoumieu and Feleu, their World Cup dreams now hang in tatters due to split-second decisions that have cost them their place on rugby's biggest stage.
