World Rugby Suspends Two France Players After WXV Red Cards

World Rugby has suspended France players Cloé Correa and Ambre Mwayembe following their red cards against Australia in the WXV Global Series, while South Africa’s Danelle Lochner has been referred to a full disciplinary hearing.

Correa received a two-match suspension after being shown a permanent red card during France’s match against Australia on September 19.

The incident was considered under Law 9.12, covering physical abuse including contact with the eye or eye area.

World Rugby’s Foul Play Review Committee found there had been contact with the eye area but not direct contact with the eye. It also determined that the action was not deliberate and had no effect on the Australian player.

The committee applied a low-end entry point before awarding Correa the full 50 per cent mitigation available.

She will miss France’s WXV match against Canada on September 26 and the October 17 meeting with New Zealand.

Mwayembe was sanctioned following a dangerous tackle in the same match against Australia.

The French forward attempted an upright tackle that resulted in shoulder-to-head contact, according to the disciplinary decision. The committee applied the mandatory mid-range entry point before granting full mitigation.

Mwayembe received a three-match suspension, which can be reduced to two if she successfully completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.

She is currently listed to miss France’s matches against Canada on September 26 and New Zealand on October 17 and October 24. Successful completion of the programme would make her available for the October 24 fixture.

Both French players accepted that foul play had occurred and that their red cards were warranted.

A final decision has not yet been announced for South Africa’s Danelle Lochner.

Lochner was sent off during South Africa’s match against Wales on September 18 after a dangerous-tackle incident under Law 9.13. Her yellow card was upgraded to red following review.

The Foul Play Review Committee referred her case to a full disciplinary hearing scheduled for September 22.

The decisions form part of the expedited off-field sanction process being used during the WXV Global Series. World Rugby confirmed the disciplinary outcomes on Tuesday.