The IRFU says it will change its policy for the coming season so that players who were born male may not participate in women’s contact rugby.
It says that its “gender participation policy” is to be based on “medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance.”
The inclusion of transgender athletes, many who are still biologically male, in women’s sports has been a source of continuous controversy.
“Recent peer reviewed research provides evidence that there are physical differences between those people whose sex was assigned as male and those as female at birth, and advantages in strength, stamina and physique brought about by male puberty are significant and retained even after testosterone suppression,” the IRFU said.
“The new policy, which is in line with that of World Rugby, the RFU and other governing bodies, will mean that contact rugby for players in the female category is limited to those whose sex was recorded as female at birth,” they continued.
“There are two registered players affected, in Ireland, by this change and the IRFU has discussed the matter directly with them including options to remain active in the game, such as non-contact playing formats (tag/touch rugby), refereeing, coaching, and volunteering, underlining that the IRFU values their on-going involvement in the game,” the sports body explained.
“The IRFU is keenly aware that this is a sensitive and challenging area for those involved and the wider LGBT+ community and will continue to work with those impacted, providing support to ensure their ongoing involvement with the game.”
Last week, the inclusion of a transgender player in a ladies GAA final in Dublin caused a storm online.