The French Rugby Federation is set to allow transgender people to play in all domestic competitions across the country.
It's understood the executive board of the French Rugby Federation unanimously voted in favour of the new proposal in a move which seemingly goes against guidelines made by World Rugby.
Only last year the sport's global governing body made the recommendations that trans women should not compete in professional women's competitions "on safety grounds at the international level of the game".
Now the French Rugby Federation has gone against that with the new legislation set to come into play as of next season.
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"Rugby is an inclusive, sharing sport, without distinction of sex, gender, origin or religion," vice-president of the French rugby federation Serge Simon said.
"The FFR is steadfast against all forms of discrimination and works daily in order to allow everyone to practice, without constraint, their free will in rugby.
"It is important to allow all our members to practice their passion while respecting everyone's rights.
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"[The votes send a] benevolent and resolute signal that respect for minorities is an irrefutable right in our sport."
Trans people wishing to compete will still have to prove their identity through civil records prior to registration.
On top of that, they must also show that they have been undergoing hormonal treatment during their transition for at least 12 months before the competition's commencement.
The French Rugby Federation is making history by becoming one of the first national bodies that is allowing trans women to compete at the elite level of a professional team sport.
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