On 29 July 2022, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council voted in favour of adopting a new Gender Participation Policy following extensive stakeholder consultation and a thorough review of all available scientific evidence. This policy remains current and active.
The review and consultation concluded that detailed peer reviewed research provides evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex originally recorded as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by testosterone and male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression.
This science provides the basis of the new gender participation policy that concludes the inclusion of trans people originally recorded male at birth in female contact rugby cannot be balanced against considerations of safety and fairness.
The RFU remains committed to inclusion, diversity, equal opportunities and building a game which better reflects society. While the adoption of this new policy was not taken lightly, we appreciate and are committed to working with the Rugby community to ensure anyone who wishes to play the game is able to do so without prejudice. While supporting and encouraging opportunities for everyone to participate in rugby including non-contact formats of the game and through coaching, refereeing or volunteering roles.
The RFU will continue to work with World Rugby and other stakeholders in promoting research and considering other formats of the game.
Below is a short video which outlines the policy, the policy document itself, a set of FAQs and relevant forms. If you have any questions about the policy itself, you can email: genderparticipation@rfu.com.
- RFU Gender Participation Policy
- RFU Gender Participation Policy FAQs
- RFU Gender Participation Community Game Guidance
- Trans man/boy, non-binary and gender fluid player participation consent form
- Trans man/boy, non-binary and gender fluid player participation RFU notification form
- RFU Participation Risk Assessment
- RFU Gender Participation Policy further materials and FAQs
