Rugby league joins swimming in barring transgender women from international competition

International Rugby League says further consultation and research is needed before trans inclusion policy can be finalised

• Transgender women swimmers barred from female competitions by Fina
• Decision time: why sport is struggling to deal with transgender row

Transgender women will be barred from playing 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.