World Rugby’s plans to potential ban trans women from the women’s game due to safety reasons has caused a varied reaction from those involved with the sport.

New Zealand Rugby say they are keeping their options open and are far away from making any decision on the matter.

Former Black Fern and Labour MP Louisa Wall is against the idea.

“From my perspective, rugby should be inclusive, and obviously if there are safety issues, we will deal with those.

“But I don’t think the science is there to validate their position at the moment.”

Dr Mark Fulcher, a sports physician with Axis Sports Medicine, told Heather du Plessis-Allan that this is a complex and difficult situation.

"I don't think science is there one way or the other to give us a clear answer on what we do next."

He says that the current rules mean that trans women have to take medication to lower their testosterone for one year, but with contact sports there are extra considerations. 

Fulcher says that, as most players would have passed puberty, taking medication to lower testosterone may not have an impact as they would already be physically bigger. 

"The problem I have with this type of rule is you are trying to take a complex situation and apply a one size fits all rule."