Former prop Cerys Hale hopes her ex-Wales team-mates have received their last apology from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) after being “let down” again by the governing body.

WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood and chief executive Abi Tierney pledged an apology for the way contract negotiations were conducted with the national women’s squad.

In an email, seen by the BBC, players were threatened with withdrawal from WXV2 and, subsequently, next year’s World Cup as talks broke down.

They were issued with a “final offer” ultimatum on 2 August, saying if they did not sign within a three-hour deadline, planned matches against New Zealand, Scotland and Australia would not go ahead and the contracts would be withdrawn.

The new claims of sexism and inequality came less than a year after a damning independent review into the WRU’s culture following a BBC Wales investigation.

Hale said she was surprised by the latest revelations, saying “fundamentally, the players have been let down.

But she accepts “the union have made strides to making things better”.

Hale also acknowledged the governing body reacted “swiftly” to say sorry on this occasion, telling BBC Sport Wales: “It is frustrating to see them say that they have another apology to issue so hopefully it’ll be the last.”