One sticking point has been the WRU’s pursuit of a stake in all four professional teams, with the governing body preparing to take on Covid loan debt from the Welsh Government.

This originally totaled £20million, with Cardiff, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys initially struggling with repayments.

Regional fans are concerned about the WRU’s direct involvement in each team’s affairs, and fear the governing body may seek to exert additional control.

Tierney publicly confirmed that the WRU was seeking official input from the regions, but said his organization was not trying to take over.

“That’s one of the things that has rightly made clubs cautious in this process,” Tierney said.

“The collaboration interests we are looking for relate to team composition, minutes played and configurations.

“This is not a takeover or a move to the Irish model. We need to work together on a system that will give us the results we need and benefit regional clubs and the national team.”

And Tierney dismisses headlines claiming it would fall to Gatland running the clubs.

“It is important that the four clubs remain independent and have the capacity to demonstrate entrepreneurship.

“I hope the fans will see what this means in practice and not worry about the WRU.”

Tierney says regional budgets are set to increase gradually next season from this campaign’s £4.5 million, with teams spending around £6.5 million per season in three years’ time.

The chief executive also reaffirmed the WRU’s commitment to retaining four professional teams in Wales and that the prospect of an Anglo-Welsh league was currently off the table, saying English clubs had voted against the proposal.