Following Konkel’s comments in the aftermath of the 40-8 loss to England, former players were quick to support her sentiment.

“It’s definitely a fair comment,” former captain Lisa Martin said. “They used the emotion to say, ‘this is what we’re about, this is the level we can play at’ and force that respect upon themselves.

“It’s been so frustrating that most of this World Cup has been centred around all the things that have been happening behind the scenes, especially when Scotland have performed so strongly.

“Conversations need to start happening, especially around the legacy of this World Cup – not only from a playing point of view and what the team will look like going forward, but what the club game looks like going forward.

“We don’t know what they’re wanting to do off the back of this. In terms of the national team, what is the performance pathway looking like? At the moment, there hasn’t been one confirmed.”

Former prop Heather Lockhart agreed, strongly criticising the timing of the contract talks that Williamson called unavoidable.

“That [timing] should never have been the case,” Lockhart said. “It’s testament to the character and resolve of all the 32 [players], the management and the coaching staff that Scotland got to the quarter-finals.

“Fifteen full-time contracts is not enough. It takes a squad of 32 to perform at the highest level.

“I’m urging both boards at Scottish Rugby to look at this as a matter of urgency and remedy the situation. There might be long-term plans, which is great, but there has to be a transitional period for things to be sorted out.”

Following criticism from players in the wake of Sunday’s defeat, Scottish Rugby was asked for comment but said it did not wish to discuss “individual contracts”.