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Transgender women banned from playing female category of rugby union in Scotland

By PA
New Zealand v Scotland – Women’s Rugby World Cup – Pool A – Northland Events Centre

The Scottish Rugby Union has banned transgender women from competing in contact rugby in the female category of the sport.

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The move follows earlier decisions from the English, Irish and Welsh unions, among others.

The new policy comes into effect on February 1 and follows guidance from World Rugby and the UK-wide Sports Councils’ Equality Group.

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.

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The policy will be reviewed each year and if any new scientific data and research becomes available.

Transgender men may continue to play contact rugby in the men’s category provided a risk assessment has been undertaken by their club and the outcome logged with the SRU.

A statement from the SRU board read: “We all have a responsibility to look after the participants in our game, with their wellbeing and safety at the centre of everything we do.

“We fully acknowledge this is a difficult and sadly divisive societal issue, and that has been especially apparent over the last few months. Scottish Rugby has been mindful of this and aimed to deal with the issue in a sensitive manner.

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“Inclusion is a bedrock of our sport. Scottish Rugby wishes to be as inclusive as possible and is only imposing such eligibility restrictions based on the guidance provided. The decision to amend our eligibility criteria was not taken lightly as we seek to address conflicting viewpoints.

“Our Gender Participation Policy recognises the need to balance considerations of safety and fairness with our underlying desire to be as inclusive as possible.

“At this moment in time, Scottish Rugby has opted to make a decision which puts safety first, based on the current research.”

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Comments

2 Comments
R
RJ 885 days ago

Common sense!


I want the trans community to be part of the rugby community, I don't see the answer is to allow them to be part of the women's game. For a little while longer, it's still a contact sport.

f
fl 885 days ago

wut

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J
Jfp123 29 minutes ago
Are Bordeaux-Begles, not Toulouse, the future of French rugby?

Really, do you really mean that? I guess you’re a supporter of UBB. Jalibert

1) doesn’t play well with France’s best 9

2) has an approx 50% tackle success rate this year at int. and club level, Rassie would be rubbing his hands with glee as he plots to exploit that!

3) is another player his teammates would have to cover for in defence, when they already have Penaud, and arguably, Ramos under the high ball, to cope with, unless you’re proposing to drop Penaud. Whereas in attack France were scoring with or without him in the last 6 nations, 200 points when he wasn’t on the pitch so why do they need him?

3) plays at 10 only, so rules out the v successful 7/1 bench when he’s playing

4) has a questionable temperament, see WC 1/4 final

5) has a v poor record in a great team at int. level. In his last 5 matches, loss v SA, heavy loss v Ireland, win by highly controversial try v Scotland, draw v Italy, loss v England.


Whereas Ntamack and Ramos both play fabulously with Dupont and Ntamack adapted seamlessly when Lucu took over from Dupont v Ireland; Ntamack has a v high tackle success rate, tackles more often and jackals; Ntamack 10 and 12 internationally, Ramos 10 and 15 - both have played with 7/1 bench; both Ntamack and Ramos superb big match temperament, scoring when it counts; France has been flying high when they’re playing.


If Jalibert played for a nation struggling to score with a strong defence, he might be worth a pick, but he plays for France.

Also, lately I’m wondering if he’s quite so effective in attack as some people seem to believe. He is certainly good and has the flashy moves, but look at the Top14 stats, they suggest his game management isn’t quite what it should be. If I’m picking a fantasy team I sink my money on the wings, as they score most. Jalibert is playing with the two top wings in France, arguably the world, his scrum half is France’s best with Dupont injured for most of the season, the other backs and the forwards are all top class, but that isn’t reflected in the stats. Points for ST 891, UBB 762; Points ag ST 462, UBB 609; points diff 429 v 153, and that’s when for much of the season, the ST player in the crucial 9 position, with the best will in the world is pretty average, and can’t be rated among the top 6 in the Top14.


If Galthier picks Jalibert again, I’ll know his head’s fallen off! Allez les blues!

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