A ban on transgender women competing in international rugby matches will not stop them playing the women’s game in England, the sport’s governing body said on Wednesday in the latest split over trans competitors in sport. World Rugby, which controls international matches, banned trans women from international female games last week, saying they were a risk to fellow players. But trans women will still compete in English women’s matches if they maintain testosterone levels below a certain level for a year, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said. More evidence, it said, was needed to justify a full ban. The issue of trans competitors in women’s sport is hotly debated, with opponents saying it is impossible to keep competition safe and fair.