Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) bosses are facing calls to resign following the announcement it had suffered an £18m loss for the latest financial year.
The WRU also warned it is forecasting a similar loss for next year with chief financial officer Gavin Marshall admitting the organisation “can’t go on like this”.
Soaring operating costs, lower ticket sales and reduced fan spending have been blamed for the latest losses.
The Union said the figures prove running four professional clubs in Wales is unsustainable as it looks to cut the number of regions to three from 2028.
Former Wales international Alex Cuthbert has criticised a “lack of leadership” from the WRU while Swansea council leader Rob Stewart accused to the organisation of mismanagement.
“I’m really clear on what needs to be done, the chief executive [Abi Tierney] and the board need to go. They’ve completely mismanaged the game in Wales,” Stewart told Radio Wales Breakfast.
“I’m not surprised by the financial situation. [We’ve got] half-empty stadiums at the national stadium, fans voting with their feet and we’ve seen some of our best players drift over the border into England.
“[There has been] complete uncertainty in the game for over 18 months and the WRU is changing its plans on a quarterly basis, it appears.
“All of those things contributed to the financial state and it is mismanagement, let’s call it what it is.
“What we need though is certainty. We’ve got enough quality players in Wales to sustain four sides. We’ve got enough income going into the WRU to sustain four sides. They just need to manage it better.”
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