USRN

The semi finals of the MLR Championship is not the only big ticket happening on the rugby calendar this weekend. Dublin is the host city for the Union Cup which is a two day festival held from June 7th – 9th.
The Union Cup is Europe’s largest LGBT+ inclusive rugby tournament with 45 teams competing in the tournament.

This year for the first time a women’s tournament has also been added to the festival.

Ireland men’s captain Rory Best has also endorsed the competition stating that “With rugby, one of our big things is how inclusive it is no matter what shape or size you are there is a place for you. What this tournament has done is highlight no matter you are LGBT, male, female, young, old that there is a team sport for you and rugby can provide that”

What this tournament has done is highlight no matter you are LGBT, male, female, young, old that there is a team sport for you and rugby can provide that

RTE Radio 1 interview with Rory Best

This tournament is a further indication of the rugby communities willingness to embrace diversity and inclusivity. In April the MLR’s very own Rugby United New York (RUNY) also held an inclusivity event which saw IRG (International Gay Rugby) teams Gotham Knights play DC Scandals as a curtain raiser to the MLR game between RUNY vs Utah Warriors.