The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) will ban transgender women from female contact rugby competitions from February 1, the governing body said on Tuesday after carrying out a review of its gender participation policy.
Only players recorded as female at birth would be allowed to play contact rugby in the women’s category and the policy will be reviewed each year and also if any new scientific data and research becomes available, according to the SRU’s guidance.
The ban aligns with the positions of the English, Irish and Welsh unions and takes into account guidance from World Rugby and the UK-wide Sports Council Equality Group.
“We fully acknowledge this is a difficult and sadly divisive societal issue, and that has been especially apparent over the last few months,” the SRU board said in a statement. “Scottish Rugby has been mindful of this and aimed to deal with the issue in a sensitive manner.”
Transgender women could previously participate in the women’s game in Scotland depending on the outcome of a “thorough medical process including testosterone tests” prior to registration to play.