What followed was a WRU presentation of more than 90 minutes on the future of rugby in Wales with contributions from departing chair Collier-Keywood, Tierney, director of rugby Dave Reddin and community director Geraint John.

Collier-Keywood will be replaced in the summer with the WRU using an external consultant to help appoint his successor.

He used his departing speech to warn of the time he had spent during his three-year tenure with disputes with the regional sides was far greater than any other issues.

Tierney outlined why they were sticking with three teams, while Reddin described the proposed pathway programme, but admitted the system could not be established until an agreement was reached with the professional teams and funds were released.

This was followed by a robust question and answer session of a hour and a half which included queries on why the WRU bailed out Cardiff and why the governing body continues to use external consultants.

Former Principality chief operating officer Rob Regan, who has been a public critic of the WRU decision to drop a side, asked the board to outline what they have got wrong in the past two years in order to try and regain some public trust.

Tierney stated she wondered whether the WRU had taken too long to get a new agreement with the men’s professional sides.

Collier-Keywood agreed with Tierney by stating they tried to maintain four sides for too long and Cardiff’s takeover made them realise the benefactor model of Welsh rugby was not sustainable for Wales.

Tierney confirmed that ticket sales from the Autumn Nations and Six Nations were below budget, with a quote from the audience stating the chief executive had told a district meeting it was a £6m shortfall.

Tierney also stated that Collier-Keywood’s departure will not affect the plans for three teams.

CGRU representative Chris Morgan stated four teams should remain and urged the WRU to work with Regan and reassess the three-team plan, while also questioned if there was enough rugby experience on a WRU board, claims that were denied by the governing body.

Morgan labelled the WRU’s lack of a plan B a “dereliction of duty that could destroy Welsh rugby”.