Martyn Thomas has resigned as chairman of England's Rugby Football Union (RFU), plunging the governing body into further turmoil less than nine weeks out from the World Cup in New Zealand.

Thomas ended his six-year tenure on Sunday following a council meeting to review a disciplinary panel's verdict into the RFU's chaotic attempt to hire a performance director, which led to the dismissal of chief executive John Steele.

Council member Paul Murphy has been named as interim chairman, with Thomas staying on as acting chief executive.

Thomas said "this was a difficult day for the union but (it) does mean we can finally move on".

The RFU has no permanent chairman or chief executive, and is still without a performance director.

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