The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was plunged into disarray following the removal of John Steele, its chief executive on Friday.
Just nine months into the role and virtually a year to the day after he was appointed, Steele's ill-fated reign came to an end in an episode that has shown the RFU in the worst possible light.
The former UK Sport chief executive paid the price for confusion over the job description for the performance director post that many hoped would be filled by Sir Clive Woodward.
An RFU statement read: "The RFU board of directors can confirm that John Steele has left the union with immediate effect.
"At the current time there is nothing more we can add while discussions are ongoing and we will update further as we are able."
Steele's stint was ended during Thursday night's emergency board meeting, which finished at 1am on Friday.
It was felt by both parties that he could no longer continue in his role and the RFU is meeting to agree the terms of his exit.
A scheduled RFU council meeting taking place on Friday is sure to be an acrimonious one as the management board, led by Martyn Thomas, the chairman attempt, to explain the events that have left Twickenham in turmoil.
While Steele has emerged as the fall guy, by its own admission the management board has hardly covered itself in glory.
The board signed off three different versions of the performance director job description, dating back to January, but still claimed not to fully understand how the job would work.
"This has been a testing time for the RFU but the key to a strong organisation is how it responds in difficult times," said Thomas last month.
Steele's ambition when he took over was to give England the best possible chance of winning the 2015 World Cup on home soil and to ensure the nation hosts the best possible tournament.
But little over four years from the event, and just three months out from this year's World Cup, the RFU is searching for a new chief executive.
Steele had been fighting for his future at Twickenham ever since confusion arose over the performance director post that many felt was tailor-made for Woodward.
Ten days ago, in response to fierce criticism of his handling of the appointment process, Steele sounded a note of defiance over his ability to continue.
"Yes, there has been this bump in the road but it doesn't mean that what we put in place in terms of our plans for the future isn't still as valid as it was six months ago," he said. "In fact, that last six months have shown me even more the need for change. We need to work differently and I have been brought in to drive that change, and that is exactly what I will do."
On May 25 the management board gave him its "full support" and accepted its handling of the episode, which undermined Steele's position and left the union facing claims of amateurism, had "not shown the RFU in the best light".
The RFU changed the job description for the performance director role twice in the space of 48 hours. Woodward then ruled himself out of the running.
Until the wrangling over the performance director's role began, Steele was seen to have been performing solidly and there is a groundswell of sympathy over the way he has been treated.
He spent the first six months of his reign conducting a review of the union and then instigated a management restructure that was well received.
His desire to put rugby back at the heart of the union - he felt it had become too money-oriented - also hit the right note for many.
However, his stay has been messy and a PR disaster for the RFU that could deter leading candidates to succeed Steele from applying.
The development will also resume calls for Woodward's return to Twickenham.
