“I think if I had been a male I think my chances of career progression would have progressed further for sure. I was pigeon-holed and would like to think it wasn’t down to a lack of skill and knowledge,” she said.

“I don’t think I could have got any further than I got at the RFU because of being a female to be perfectly honest. I found the whole way through my career that women have a much tougher time than our male counterparts and that is not just from getting pay rises and career progression.”

One former RFU female employee called for the introduction of clear directives detailing appropriate standards of behaviour and severe sanctions, including expulsion for those who transgress.

“I think there needs to be like an amnesty really, people need to be encouraged to speak out and feel it is a safe place if there is something, because it will not stop unless the issues are raised," she said.

“Crucially what they will need to see is something happen because of a result of what they have said. Because if it just gets swept under the carpet, then nothing will change.

“There needs to be a really clear communication as to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable and if this happens, it needs to be reported and this is what will happen. And it needs to be followed through.