Steve Phillips: Welsh Rugby Union chief executive resigns as Nigel Walker takes interim role

“This is a sport I love and is so admired around the world and I wish everyone involved in the game every success and my heartfelt best wishes,” Phillips added.

“I am on record already saying how much I hugely regret the feelings and emotions expressed recently by former members of staff.”

The WRU stressed that no allegations were made against Phillips in the recent BBC programme and he was not accused of any wrong doing.

“I thank Steve for his dedication and support for Welsh rugby,” said Evans.

“He has made a significant contribution to our progress on the world stage in that time and most recently was instrumental in securing the return of Warren Gatland to the helm of the senior men’s side.

“He successfully guided Welsh rugby through the coronavirus pandemic and has secured a new six-year verbal agreement with the PRB (Professional Rugby Board) and a signed ‘heads of terms’ designed to ensure a sustainable future for our professional game.”

Former international Walker admitted he takes the helm at a turbulent time.

“There is no doubt that Welsh rugby is facing an existential crisis,” Walker said.

“This has been a wake-up call. Perhaps it is a call that has been overdue. The first step to any recovery is admitting the problem.

“We must now listen intently to what people from outside our organisation are telling us. We care and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we work hard in this space with dedicated resource and investment.

“But we need to do better. We need to do much better and we will.”

WRU chairman Evans, who only took over from Rob Butcher in November 2022, told the Radio Wales Sunday Supplement programme he was staying on to try and drive through governance change with no plans for him or the current WRU board to step down.

There will be an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) planned for March to try and get the clubs to vote for an independent chair, something the WRU could not push through at the last AGM in October 2022.

“For the moment I need to lead this governance change and also work hand in hand with Nigel Walker,” said Evans.

“We have already started the process with Welsh Government and Sport Wales in establishing this independent taskforce.

“We take responsibility as a board and we will be taking defined governance changes into an EGM planned for March.

“We will be going out and compelling clubs, because it’s their choice, to look at an independent chair.

“It is my belief this organisation needs an independent chair and I will drive that. The days of incremental change are behind us.”