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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Mike Hytner

Rugby league joins swimming in barring transgender women from female international competition

Shadow of rugby posts on rugby field.
The International Rugby League says it will canvas the opinions of players before finalising a trans inclusion policy, but in the meantime trans athletes will not be able to compete in women’s events. Photograph: Nick Podmore/Alamy

Transgender women will be barred from playing women’s international rugby league for the time being, after the sport’s governing body became the second this week to announce a shift in policy on the polarising issue.

Following Monday’s announcement that Fina has effectively banned transgender women from competing at elite female swimming events, the International Rugby League (IRL) has decided to preclude athletes who have transitioned from male to female from international competition.

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