Tony Hallett has confirmed his resignation as secretary of the English Rugby Football Union (RFU), then made an impassioned plea for unity in the English professional game.

Former Royal Navy captain Hallett has quit Twickenham just two years after succeeding Dudley Wood.

But he was keen to play down suggestions that his public rift with the RFU management board chairman, Cliff Brittle, had been behind his decision.

"I hope I have made a significant contribution towards managing the change from the amateur to the professional game," Hallett told a news conference.

"I believe that I leave the Rugby Football Union in good order, with much potential for the future.

"Following the annual general meeting and the election of Cliff Brittle, I believe it is fundamental that there be unity among those charged with running the game. As is well known, Cliff and I have disagreed on certain fundamental issues," he added.

"I have therefore decided that for the benefit of the game, I should leave rather than appear to prolong the discord that has sadly been all too evident in recent months."

For his part, Brittle repeated the call for unity. But Brittle, who confirmed the search for a successor will start today, denied Hallett had scored a significant moral victory.

Hallett and Brittle have been furious rivals consistently at loggerheads ever since the International Board dramatically declared rugby an open game in August 1995.

They've repeatedly clashed over major issues such as England's £87.5million television deal with satellite broadcasters and effective management of the RFU.

"I don't consider this to be a victory for me under any circumstances," said Brittle whose reelection at last month's RFU annual meeting meant Hallett was effectively living on borrowed time.

Hallett will receive substantial undisclosed compensation from the RFU.

Meanwhile, Vernon Pugh, the chairman of the Welsh RFU, has announced he will stand down from the post before the start of the new season.