Seven votes the margin as RFU changes gender participation policy

Rugby Football Union (RFU) council members have narrowly back a recommendation that will see transgender women banned from playing women’s rugby in England. The RFU “conducted an extensive review of its gender participation policy for English domestic contact rugby” and it resulted in a vote on Friday where 33 delegates voted in favour of the change, 26 voted against with two abstaining.   

The transgender decision means that the RFU will only permit players in the female category if their sex originally recorded at birth is female. An RFU statement read: “Following an extensive RFU consultation, the RFU council has voted in favour of updating its gender participation policy for rugby in England from the start of the 2022/23 season with 33 in favour, 26 against and 2 abstaining.

“The RFU began a detailed review of its policy in autumn 2020. This included a game-wide survey receiving over 11,000 responses, extensive consultation with and listening to a wide range of independent experts as well as considering all available scientific evidence along with liaising with other sporting bodies.

“The review and consultation concluded that detailed peer-reviewed research provides evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex originally recorded as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by testosterone and male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression. 

“This science provides the basis of the new gender participation policy that concludes the inclusion of trans people originally recorded male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.

“The RFU council has determined that until such time as new further peer-reviewed science is available, a precautionary approach is appropriate to ensure fair competition and safety of all competitors. Therefore, the RFU council approved a policy change to only permit players in the female category if the sex originally recorded at birth is female. The RFU recognises this was a complex and difficult decision and the policy change was not taken lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation.  

RFU president Jeff Blackett said: “I would like to thank everyone for the passion, time and effort that has been put into consulting with us and informing this policy review. Inclusion is at the heart of rugby values and we will continue to work with everyone to keep listening, learning and finding ways to demonstrate there is a place for everyone in our game.

“We know that many will be disappointed by this decision. However, it has been based on all the scientific evidence available. Our game can be strengthened by everyone who is involved; be it in coaching, refereeing, administration or supporting and playing non-contact forms of the game.”

The statement added: “The RFU also considered the merits of a case-by-case assessment process, but in light of the research findings and work of World Rugby and the UK Sports Councils, and given the difficulties in identifying a credible test to assess physiological variables, this is no longer a viable option at this time and does not necessarily ensure inclusion. 

“World Rugby has a dedicated funding stream for research in this area and the RFU will continue to work with World Rugby and other stakeholders in promoting research to continue. In the male category, players whose sex recorded at birth is female may play if they provide their written consent and a risk assessment is carried out.

“The RFU has contacted the registered trans women players, who the revised policy has a direct impact on, to offer its support in continuing to encourage them to participate in the sport. The RFU will continue to listen and review its policy on a regular basis and welcomes all new research on this subject to inform these reviews.”