A transgender player has issued legal action against the Rugby Football Union following the governing body’s decision to ban male-born athletes from competing in the women’s category.

They were already banned in the elite game, but the RFU took the decision in July to extend that to all levels.

The Telegraph are reporting that trans woman Julie Curtiss is seeking to contest that ruling and is mounting a legal challenge.

Pre-action letter

Curtiss has issued the RFU with a pre-action protocol letter, which is designed to find a solution before it goes to court.

The six-page letter from law firm Russell Cooke said: “It is difficult to see how a blanket ban with no exceptions could be justified as necessary.

“Allowing a particular trans woman to play in the female category for contact rugby may not raise any issues in respect of fair competition or the safety of competitors, and if so her exclusion cannot be justified.”

The RFU will not back down on their decision and believe the claimant’s case is “without merit.”

“We are in receipt of a pre-action letter of claim and will be responding via our appointed lawyers,” an RFU spokesperson said.

“We believe any potential claim is without merit and we will robustly defend the case.”

Curtiss insists that she has been discriminated against under section seven of the Equality Act 2010.

Diversity and inclusion in rugby

“This issue is not about me – it is about young trans women and girls who now have no route into this sport, a sport which inherently supports diversity in strength, height, speed and weight,” Curtiss told the Telegraph.

“Society in general has a hard enough time getting youngsters to play sport, and now the RFU have closed the door to an entire section of the population.

“I would have been content to walk away from this debate were it not for the support of cisgendered female players – including some current England women’s players – who have reached out to me and said they are appalled by this decision.

“I’m willing to have my position changed if the RFU can demonstrate that this change has genuinely been driven by female players who are genuinely asking for it.”

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