Italy lock Sara Tounesi receives 12-match ban for biting Japanese player at Women's World Cup

Italy lock Sara Tounesi has been suspended for 12 matches for biting a player from Japan at the women'sRugbyWorld Cup, meaning she miss Saturday's quarter-final against France. Tounesi was cited for biting an unnamed opponent during Italy's 21-8 win on Sunday.

The tournament's judicial committee upheld the citing complaint, WorldRugbysaid in a statement on Tuesday. "The committee concluded that the player bit a Japanese player which ... merited a red card," said the statement. Tounesi has two days to appeal the decision. Italy face France at Whangarei on Saturday.