The motion cites several other motivations behind its attempt to force out Ilube and Sweeney – with the financial losses incurred by the RFU, its handling of the second-tier Championship and a bungled change in the laws around tackle height in 2023 mentioned alongside the controversial bonuses.

It claims that “the thousands of volunteers who keep the game alive and running have now lost confidence and trust in the leadership of our game”.

“The RFU has received a large amount of sustained negative reaction across stakeholders throughout the game,” it added in relation to senior executives’ pay.

The referees’ union, Championship and National League 1 clubs joined the call for change at the top in the run-up to Wednesday’s emergency meeting of the RFU council.

The 62-member body, that includes representatives from the county game, universities, the military, lower leagues and players, could make its own move against the leadership.

Andy Cosslett, Ilube’s predecessor as RFU chairman and the originator of the controversial executive incentive scheme, attended to answer questions.

Oxfordshire RFU, which has one representative on the council, said it had, external “listened to our clubs and have decided to add our voice to call for a special general meeting of the RFU”.

“We will respond to any potential meeting requisition if and when it is received in the appropriate format,” an RFU spokesperson said.