UK's rugby leagues ban transgender players from women's games

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Transgender players have been blocked from competing in women’s union and league rugby in England. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Rugby Football League (RFL) amended its regulations to permit only players assigned as female at birth to compete in women's matches.

The new guidance will apply to six transgender women registered to play in England. 

The RFU Council voted in favor of updating its gender participation policy for the 2022/2023 season with 33 in favor, 26 against and two abstaining.

"It was a complex and difficult decision and the policy change was not taken lightly or without thorough and full research and consultation." the council said in a statement on Friday. 

Michaela Blyde of Team New Zealand holds off Krissy Scurfield of Team Canada to score their side's second try during the Women's Rugby Sevens Pool A match between Team New Zealand and Team Canada on day one of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Coventry Stadium. (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

After a two-year review, the governing body voted on a complete ban on transgender women from women’s rugby in England, a change from its previous policy. In 2019, the RFU assured transgender women of their inclusion and issued guidelines to be met by all transgender players before they could play rugby.

"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," it said.

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It held extensive consultation, studied scientific