Transgender people are no longer welcome highest rugby level

Every time a big tournament is getting closer, the sports get’s more attention. With the Six Nations tournament closing in, more and more rugby news comes out. This time it’s up to the International Rugby League IRL to get the attention. From now on it is no longer possible for transgender people in rugby to participate in international competitions. The international rugby association IRL announced this on Tuesday, as swimming association FINA already did on Sunday.

Rugby Union

The rugby union is responding to the request of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which announced guidelines last year and asked federations to make their own 'sport-specific' rules. FINA's decision sparked fierce debate between those who fight for transgender people's rights to compete freely as women and those who claim they have an unfair physiological advantage.

England Rugby

The IRL's announcement means that transgender people will be banned from England's Women's Rugby League World Cup in November. The Rugby Union is currently working on a transgender policy for 2023.

Last month, the international cycling union UCI already introduced stricter rules for transgender people. From now on they must submit a certain (low) testosterone value for women to participate. The new rules came in response to commotion about track cyclist Emily Bridges, who was not allowed to participate in the British championship by the UCI.

Athletics may also come with measures

Sebastian Coe, president of the world athletics association, said on Monday that athletics could follow swimming (and now rugby) and may also opt for stricter policies for transgender athletes competing in women's events. "It is my responsibility to protect the integrity of women's sport and we take that very seriously," he said. "If that means we need to adjust the protocols in the future, we will."