The backlash surrounding the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) attempt to outlaw tackles above the waist in community rugby from July 1 this year is the cherry on top of a tumultuous few months for Europe's top governing bodies within the sport.

Just a week before the beginning of the Six Nations Championship, and then the World Cup in September and October, it is less than ideal timing for seriously worrying governance issues to surface.

The RFU had good intention as it aimed to reduce head impact exposure to reduce the likelihood of concussions and brain injuries, which have plagued the game since its inception.

"Designed to improve player safety and informed by data, this change aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler," read an RFU statement explaining the decision.

"Evidence from studies has consistently demonstrated that higher contact on the ball-carrier and closer proximity of the ball-carrier and tacklers' heads are associated with larger head impacts and an increased risk of concussion."

It is set to impact clubs, schools, colleges and universities at both age-grade and adult levels from National One and below in the men's game and Championship One and below in the women's.

It may seem sensible, but it has gone down like a lead balloon.

Unanimously approved by the RFU Council, it was based upon trials in New Zealand and France but the lack of consultation with those it will affect has generated a lot of the anger.

A total of 246 clubs joined forces to call for a "special general meeting" where they would have intended to hold the vote of no confidence in RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney, chair Tom Ilube and the Board.

The governing body has subsequently backtracked and been forced into an apology.

"We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong, and we are truly sorry," it said.

Meanwhile across the Channel, the French Rugby Federation is in shambles.

When it should be preparing to host the World Cup for the first time since 2007, it is cleaning the mess left by former President Bernard Laporte who has finally resigned.

French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra had urged Laporte, who is also World Rugby vice-chair, to fully withdraw from the FFR last month after he was found guilty of corruption, bribery and influence peddling by a court in Paris.

Fortunately, the tournament is still expected to be a huge success as tickets sold out last month and it is predicted to be one of the most competitive in recent editions.

France, determined not to ruin its best performances on the pitch for arguably more than a decade, have avoided more potential mismanagement.

Clubs voted by a slender 51.06 per cent majority to reject Laporte's proposal for his Deputy President Patrick Buisson to take over on an interim basis.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is also embroiled in scandal.

Players's body chair Ashton Hewitt and chief executive Gareth Lewis have written to WRU chair Ieuan Evans to say they are "appalled" by allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism, and homophobia that have been aimed at the organisation.

Unlike Laporte, Evans, a former Welsh captain, has offered his full cooperation towards investigations.

WRU chief executive Steve Phillips has resigned in connection with the scandal, with Nigel Walker taking over as acting chief executive with immediate effect. 

He is set to attend the Senedd alongside Deputy Sports Minister Dawn Bowden to take part in a sports committee meeting next week.

"We very much welcome the opportunity to provide more details about how we are going to respond to the challenge and to make sure that the WRU is an inclusive and welcoming organisation," the WRU said in a statement.

An inquiry has been launched into the body after two women complained of a toxic culture, while another former employee claims to have heard a racist term used in a work meeting.

Former head of Wales' women's rugby Charlotte Wathan said she considered suicide due to the working conditions and said a male colleague joked in front of others in an office that he wanted to rape her.

The WRU had a chance to address its cultural problems.

Amanda Blanc, who chaired Welsh rugby's professional Board between 2019 and 2021, warned the WRU of an equality and diversity "ticking timebomb".

Scandal has also happened in Italy and Scotland.

Benetton Treviso's Cherif Traore, who was born in Guinea and lived in Italy since the age of seven, received a rotten banana in the club's secret santa gift swap.

Scotland wing Rufus McLean has also been sacked by club and country after pleading guilty in court to domestic abuse.

A shred of optimism can be taken from the responses of the latter two incidents as they have been dealt with promptly and not left to fester.

As rugby union enters a crucial year for its development, and the 200th since its "invention" by William Webb Ellis, it is vital for the sport's powerbrokers not to let themselves throw a fine chance into touch.