Israel Folau is to be sacked by Rugby Australia after refusing to respond to attempts to contact him following his homophobic and hateful social media outburst, ruling him out of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

In a joint statement issued by Rugby Australia and his club, the New South Wales Waratahs, it was confirmed that the failure of the 73-cap international to respond to the governing body – as well as his representatives – has left them with the “intention to terminate his contract”.

RA’s integrity unit attempted to make contact with Folau on Thursday but could not reach the former rugby league and AFL player, and a decision has been taken “in the absence of compelling mitigating factors” to issue notice to him of their intention to tear up his contract.

A statement issued by RA chief executive Raelene Castle and NSW Rugby Union CEO Andrew Hore read: “Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union have made repeated attempts to contact Israel both directly and via his representatives since 6.30pm on Wednesday, and at this point he had failed to communicate directly with either organisation.

“Whilst Israel is entitled to his religious beliefs, the way in which he has expressed these beliefs is inconsistent with the values of the sport. We want to make is clear that he does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts.

“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality.

“Rugby is a sport that continuously works to unite people. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our game and no vilification based on race, gender, religion or sexuality is acceptable and no language that isolates, divides or insults people based on any of those factors can be tolerated.

“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that and social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”

Six Nations Team of the Tournament Show all 24 1 /24 Six Nations Team of the Tournament Six Nations Team of the Tournament Six Nations Team of the Tournament Click through the gallery to see who makes Jack de Menezes' Team of the Six Nations. Getty Six Nations Team of the Tournament 15. Liam Williams (Wales) Has claims for the player of the tournament award after a brilliant two months. Shone in the absence of Leigh Halfpenny and handled the England kicking game with ease in Cardiff. Should have scored against France but offered so much more than tries to Wales’ Grand Slam cause and is among the very best aerial footballers. AFP/Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 14. Josh Adams (Wales) Early in his international career but has given Warren Gatland a serious selection headache if and when Halfpenny returns, as Adams deserves to be in the starting XV on this form. Tries in three consecutive matches against Italy, England and Scotland, including a moment against the Red Rose that will live long in the memory. PA Six Nations Team of the Tournament 13. Henry Slade (England) A breakthrough tournament for the versatile centre who finally looks to have found his place in the No 13 shirt. Glides across the field with the ball in hand and his two tries against Ireland helped England banish their Dublin hoodoo. One of the most naturally gifted players of his generation. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Wales) Has slotted in seamlessly into the Welsh midfield and saved his biggest impact for the Grand Slam-clinching finale – not just by scoring the first try immediately but also for his try-saving recovery tackle on Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale. Manu Tuilagi certainly impressed with five consecutive appearances and a demolition job on France and Italy, but he could not match Parkes’ defensive reliability. Action Images via Reuters Six Nations Team of the Tournament 11. Jonny May (England) The tournament’s top scorer brings fans to their feet whenever he receives the ball in space. Only failed to score a try in one of his five matches and bagged rapid 29-minute hat-trick against France. His relationship with Elliot Daly has been a joy to watch. AP Six Nations Team of the Tournament 10. Finn Russell (Scotland) Alongside Beauden Barrett as the most potent attacking threats at 10 in the world. The way he brought Scotland back into the match against England was breath-taking to watch, and he also impressed in the defeat against Wales. Missed the game against France with concussion, but you can see why Racing 92 offered him the chance to make it big in the Top 14. Action Images via Reuters Six Nations Team of the Tournament 9. Ben Youngs (England) The most consistent option at 9 as he became England’s most-capped scrum-half with his 85th appearance on the final weekend. Significantly improved his kicking game for the tournament and will head to the World Cup as the unrivalled No 1. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 1. Rob Evans (Wales) Decimated Tadhg Furlong on the scrum as Wales worked out the Irish pack at the set-piece, and he stood up brilliantly in his other big tests against Kyle Sinckler and WP Nel. Mako Vunipola had early claims to the spot but only played one-and-a-half games, whereas Evans is in the most sustained form of his career. PA Six Nations Team of the Tournament 2. Jamie George (England) Makes playing rugby look enjoyable as he does it with a smile on his face – especially when he bagged his try against Italy. Mr Reliable at the lineout throughout the tournament and probably the most mobile hooker in the Six Nations. PA Six Nations Team of the Tournament 3. Kyle Sinckler (England) Took a lot of unfair criticism following the Wales defeat and continues to serve an education that will do him only good moving beyond this championship. Looks for work in the back line and possesses the handling ability to warrant his roaming role. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 4. George Kruis (England) Really stepped up his game in the absence of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes and deserves a lot of plaudits for how he ran the lineout in Dublin. Scored a try as well as set one up for Brad Shields with charge-downs against Italy and can be proud of what he offered the tournament. Action Images via Reuters Six Nations Team of the Tournament 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) A leader by example and the undoubted man of the series. Knew exactly how to get into England and put them under pressure in ways they couldn’t cope, and his sheer defiance to let what looked a bad knee injury forced him off against Ireland was inspiring. Deserved to lift the trophy off a Grand Slam, and he revelled in the moment when it finally came. AP Six Nations Team of the Tournament 6. Josh Navidi (Wales) If Jones was the player of the series, then Navidi was the breakthrough star of the campaign. Looked at home in the No 6 shirt despite his preference to be on the openside and even got a run out at No 8 against Italy, ensuring he was one of few players to play in every match. His work-rate around the breakdown and in defence was extraordinary. Action Images via Reuters Six Nations Team of the Tournament 7. Tom Curry (England) Looks like the answer to England’s openside flanker search, and at just 20 years old, he could well be a long-term option at that. Picked up the first two tries of his international career against Wales and Scotland, and it was that display in a losing effort in Cardiff that really stood out. AFP/Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 8. Billy Vunipola (England) By no means did he set the world on fire, but he was the outstanding No 8 of the championship by quite some distance. Having missed the bulk of the last two tournaments with injury, it was a welcome sight to see the powerhouse back-row out there. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 16. Ken Owens (Wales) Brilliant in the loose and would have challenged for the starting shirt if his lineout didn’t falter too often. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 17. Mako Vunipola (England) Could have been the player of the Six Nations had his tournament not ended in the second round. REUTERS Six Nations Team of the Tournament 18. Tomas Francis (Wales) Has well and truly usurped Samson Lee as Wales’ first-choice tighthead prop and enjoyed a very impressive campaign. REUTERS Six Nations Team of the Tournament 19. Cory Hill (Wales) Injury cruelly ended his participation after the halfway stage, but his impact in the victory over England cannot be ignored. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 20. Justin Tipuric (Wales) Unlucky to miss out on the starting back-row and was at his disruptive best to plot the English downfall in Cardiff. AFP/Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 21. Antoine Dupont (France) Brought life to a dying French side and looks like a real player to watch for the future. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 22. Gareth Anscombe (Wales) Answered his critics in style after Warren Gatland put his faith in him. Twenty-point haul as Wales secured the Slam was the perfect reward. Getty Images Six Nations Team of the Tournament 23. Manu Tuilagi (England) How delightful was it to see him back in the England shirt and running at full tilt? Two tries against Italy and a destructive display in Dublin were reminders of why England have missed him so much. REUTERS

Folau only agreed terms with RA last October and had more than three years left to run on the deal, which was worth a reported A$4m (£2.19m) a year. He could yet respond to the governing body with an explanation for his recent actions that can be taken into consideration, but unless he resurfaces RA are ready to sack him just five months out from the Rugby World Cup.

Folau is set to miss the Rugby World Cup (Getty) (Getty Images)

Folau is arguably Australia’s most influential player in Michael Cheika’s squad, scoring 37 tries in his 73 Test appearances that puts him level-third on the all-time try scorers list alongside teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper. Only Australian rugby legends David Campese (64) and Chris Latham (40) have more.

He would have been one of the first names on the squad list for both the World Cup and the Rugby Championship, which begins in July, but it appears that his comments have cost him both his place in Cheika’s plans and also his career with both Australia and the Waratahs.

Rugby Australia intends to sack Folau after he refused to respond (Reuters) (Action Images via Reuters)

Folau has also faced a fierce backlash from fellow professionals after posting a message on Instagram on Wednesday that claimed “Hell awaits you” for “Drunks, Homosexuals, Adulterers, Liars, Fornicators, Thieves, and Atheists” in a religious-based tirade. The incident is the second in the space of a year to involve homophobic comments and Folau, after he posted a comment on the same social media platform last April that God’s plan for homosexuals is “HELL. Unless they repent of their sins and turn to God.”