The old Cardiff board ceased to exist with Jones having left his role as chair because he is not an employee.

“I’m devastated,” said Jones.

“There’s no other way of describing it, it’s an awful situation.

“It’s not something I envisaged happening during my tenure and not how I saw the journey ending for me.

“I’m relieved and so pleased for the staff, the club and the players. For the future of club rugby in Cardiff, that we were able to collaborate so quickly with the WRU, who didn’t hesitate to step in.

“There’s a sense of relief but disappointment and I’ll go away and reflect.”

The WRU confirmed they will be looking for a independent chair of “stature” to take on the role.

Chief executive Richard Holland will be transferred to the WRU as an employee.

He was asked whether he would think about stepping down from that role.

“I haven’t considered it, my main priority is to protect the staff,” said Holland.

However, when asked if still had the hunger to carry on, he said: “That’s a very good question. It’s been tough. I’ll reflect, sit down, chat to Abi and Richard, and do what’s right for the club and myself.”

His fate will effectively lie with Tierney.

“What will happen is we will take a period of a few weeks to assimilate all members of staff that have come across,” said WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood.

“Abi will consider how we structure this subsidiary going forwards. I want to stress our broad intention is to operate this as an independent subsidiary.

“I realise that is a bit of an anachronism in a way. But it is important for Welsh rugby that Cardiff is treated in the same way as the other three clubs in Wales.”