FAR from signalling a ceasefire in hostilities at Twickenham, former England prop Jeff Probyn hopes the removal of Martyn Thomas is the first of several departures from the Rugby Football Union.

Thomas, the RFU’s acting chief executive and former management board chairman, will step down from his post on December 16 following a meeting of directors on Wednesday.

Despite surviving two votes of no confidence, Probyn felt Thomas’ position had become untenable in the wake of the Blackett report which strongly criticised him and the management board.

With Thomas on his way out, former RFU council member Probyn believes the bloodletting must continue for the greater good of the English game’s ruling body.

“It’s a good thing Martyn has gone and he should have had the honour to resign rather than being forced out,” he said.

“I expected a true rugby man to have seen the writing on the wall and fallen on his sword.

“The Blackett report outlines an entire litany of things he did wrong.

“There were also other things he did wrong during his six years in power.

“He did some good things, but there was conflict between him and (former chief executive) Francis Baron and that’s why Baron is so vociferous about him in the press at the moment.

“The reality is that Thomas has been a problem for the union for a number of years and the fact he’s gone is a positive step, but it’s only one positive step.

“The majority of the board that caused such a mess and created the situation that led to Thomas eventually stepping down, are still involved. Some of those people should also fall on their swords.

“There’s a danger of putting the blame for what happened on one man and forgetting that the Blackett report highlights the whole board for failing in their duties. Some people have even moved onto higher positions.”

Probyn, who won 37 caps between 1987 and 1993, expects the in-fighting at Twickenham to continue, but hopes that with Thomas gone it will be conducted in private.

“There won’t be a ceasefire, there will now be a power struggle because there’s a vacuum there,” he said.

“But it should happen behind closed doors, which if it does will be a positive thing.”

Thomas’ future may have been decided, but uncertainty continues to shroud Martin Johnson’s position as England manager following a dismal World Cup.

Latest reports suggest the RFU will allow Johnson to continue if he agrees to a clear-out of his back-room staff, but it is unknown whether the 41-year-old wants to remain in his post.

England’s performances at the World Cup and the health of English rugby are currently the subject of six reviews and Probyn claims Johnson’s hands are tied until the findings of the inquiries are known.

“Martin should stay, but if I was him I wouldn’t be putting my hand up to say I’d stay while there are a number of reviews going on,” he said.

“The last thing a man who has the credentials and stature of Martin should do is put your hand up for the job, have that in the public domain and then have the job refused to you. He’s in a difficult situation because he doesn’t know whether to put his hand up for the job or not.”