The Rugby Football Union has banned transgender women from competing in female-only forms of the game for Under-12s and above.
The RFU‘s council voted on Friday to pass its new policy for the 2022-23 season, with 33 in favour, 26 against and two abstaining.
Around 30 protestors gathered at the RFU’s headquarters at Twickenham before the vote.
There are currently six transgender women playing senior rugby union.
A statement read: “Until such time as new further peer-reviewed science is available, a precautionary approach is appropriate to ensure fair competition and safety of competitors.
This follows World Rugby‘s stance which, in 2020, became the first international sports federation to refuse transgender women to compete at elite and international level.
RFU president Jeff Blackett said: “We know that many will be disappointed by this decision, however, it has been based on all the scientific evidence available.
“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.
Featured image: National Progress Party via Wikimedia Commons
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