Transgender women do not pose a danger to other players in rugby, according to one of the participants in a ground-breaking forum which is exploring the thorniest issue in sport.

Scientists, lawyers and advocacy groups on both sides of the debate about transgender participation have gathered in London for a meeting organised by World Rugby to determine whether the current eligibility rules are appropriate.

Womens' rights groups say there is mounting evidence that transgender women lowering their testosterone levels does not go far enough, especially when it concerns contact and combat sports.

A recent study by the Karolinska Institute, a Swedish University, suggested benefits for transgender women continued even after taking testosterone suppressants for 11 months because they retained the physiological advantages of having gone through male puberty.

Image: Verity Smith, a transgender man who continued to play for Rotherham Ladies while transitioning

But Verity Smith, a transgender man who continued to play for Rotherham Ladies while transitioning, fears any change to the rules could see trans people excluded from sport.


"I don't think it's dangerous," Smith told Sky News.

"Sport is for everybody, I've had to play women over a foot taller than me. I've had to play women a lot bigger size-wise than me. So why would it be a danger?

"We all go into sport, rugby especially, knowing that it's a contact sport . When you go into international games, look at your scrum half, look at your front row, over a foot and a half difference sometimes."

Image: World Rugby has been praised by current and ex-players for taking the initiative to hold the forum

In a statement World Rugby said: "The current policy follows the International Olympic Committee's policy, but with the latest research suggesting that a reduction of testosterone does not lead to a proportionate reduction in strength and power, it is important for contact sports, such as rugby, to find an appropriate position for player welfare and risk.

"The international federation is asking elite players for their views in order to get a representative view from the elite levels of game via the form of a questionnaire."

Fair Play for Women, an advocacy group which believes women's categories in sport are under threat from transgender women, emphasised the safety concerns at play.

Image: Nicola Williams, a Fair Play for Women spokeswoman

Nicola Williams, a Fair Play for Women spokeswoman, told Sky News: "If we ignore the difference in strength between trans women and women that will put women at risk in terms of safety on the pitch as well as fairness in sport so there's a worry here that necks will get broken, there'll be concussion issues.

"The safety issues for rugby are immense and we just can't ignore them."

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World Rugby has been praised by current and ex-players for taking the initiative to hold the forum, which is expected to deliver the results - including any changes - within the next few weeks.

Former England captain Catherine Spencer said: "This just adds to that wider debate about safety in rugby.

"It's very very important that world rugby takes on this issue. It's important that they're leading the discussion and it will be interesting to see how other sports might follow."