Hard blow for the Italians, who will be deprived of their second line Sara Tounesi to face the France team on Saturday (5:30 a.m.) in the first quarter-final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The 27-year-old player received a 12-game suspension on Tuesday for biting an opponent during the last group game against Japan (21-8) on Sunday.
Les Bleues, who have easily won two of their three meetings so far, against South Africa (40-5) and Fiji (44-0), could face the winner of the quarter between New Zealand on November 5 and Wales, if successful against Italy on Saturday.