The chairmen of Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos then issued a joint statement referring to “a growing amount of unrest over the direction of, and some decision-making of the RFL”.

They added “the majority of clubs…were clear that they wanted a club-led strategic review’ of policy and direction…addressing the challenges we all recognise the sport is facing”.

Johnson has been replaced on an interim basis by former RFL chief executive and Bradford Bulls chairman Nigel Wood, who will lead the club-led strategic review.

In their statement, Daley and Newton said: “While we are sad to leave the RFL board and the sport, given recent and current events, we feel there is no other option.

“In recent days we have spoken to Sport England and met with people in the game who wanted to share concerns. The best interests of the sport and all of its people are paramount and we will continue to work with these principles.”

In a post on social media, Johnson said, “I think it is a tragedy that a sport that has led the way in promoting good governance and which has embraced outstanding women leaders on to the board, has allowed a situation to develop in which there is now not a single independent non-executive director let alone a single woman, remaining on the Board.

“I am very sad at this set of events. My colleagues were leaders of considerable integrity and the fact that they felt that they could not fulfil their fiduciary duties, in the light of current developments, is very depressing.”

Another RFL board member Sandy Lindsay resigned in January.