Transgender women to be banned from full contact female rugby matches in Scotland

Scottish rugby chiefs are to ban biological males from full contact female matches after conceding that their previous "trans-inclusive" rules were dangerous.

A new policy, to be introduced next week, will bring Scotland into line with England, Ireland and Wales, where the participation of trans females in women’s games has already been stopped due to safety fears.

A review carried out by the federation found that transgender women had "retained advantages in strength, stamina and physique" compared to "the average cis-gender [non-trans] woman".

Biological males could previously participate in competitive female games in Scotland if they took female hormones.

However, a committee set up to review the policy found that "testosterone suppression does not negate this physical advantage over cis-gender women and so cannot guarantee competitive fairness and safety".

Scottish Rugby had been accused of dragging its heels over abandoning its previous stance, which critics claimed prioritised "the feelings of men who want to play on women’s teams", above the safety of women.

'Decision was not taken lightly'

As of last September, there were two trans players "actively involved" within Scottish women's clubs.

Scottish Rugby, which released its new policy on Tuesday night, said the current number of trans players "is not thought to be in double figures in Scotland".

A statement on the Scottish Rugby website said: "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.

"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."

Dangers 'unacceptably high'

World Rugby, the international governing body, found in October 2020 that dangers of allowing trans women to compete against biological women were "unacceptably high".

It said in a scenario where a typical male player tackled a typical female player, the risk of head injury for the woman was 20 to 30 per cent higher, and would be significantly greater if a larger male tackled a smaller female.

The decision to abandon its previous policy - which stated that women must not be told if they were playing against a biological man - was taken after a review that included "independent legal advice".

According to the new policy, transgender men will still be able to play on men’s teams as long as they pass a "risk assessment", which will assess their physicality, skill level and mindset.

People who identify as non-binary were told they can play in the category "attributed to their assigned at birth gender".

Meanwhile, trans women will still be able to play non-contact versions of the game.

'Other federations need to follow suit'

The policy was backed by Sharron Davies and Mara Yamauchi, the former Olympians and campaigners against trans participation in female sports.

Ms Yamauchi, a former elite long distance runner, said: "Scottish Rugby preserves women’s contact rugby for females - as it should be. Now other federations need to follow suit."

Ms Davies, the ex-swimmer, praised Scottish Rugby for "putting safety first".

However, LEAP Sports Scotland, which describes itself as Scotland’s LGBTIQ+ sports charity, said it "wholeheartedly condemned" the ban.

"Whilst this discriminatory blanket policy is in place, the governing body can no longer claim that rugby in Scotland is 'Everyone’s Game'," the charity said.

"Women’s rugby in Scotland has an inclusive and diverse culture, celebrating all body types and abilities.

"We know that the majority of women who play rugby across the country will be dismayed and disheartened that their sport has taken this regressive step."