IRFU bans transgender women from contact female rugby

The change in policy is based on medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance, the Union says

Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Transgender women will no longer be permitted to play contact female rugby in Ireland, after the IRFU announced plans to amend its gender participation policy for the forthcoming season. The change will apply to players over the age of 12.

The IRFU said its change in policy was based on medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance. From this season, contact rugby for players in the female category will be limited to those whose sex was recorded as female at birth.