Owen Slot evaluates the role of the 'Leicester mafia' in the England coaching setup in The Times.
"The past week has been particularly big on news for Leicester, and it is not about to stop. This week is an England week and the England management’s roots are deep in Leicester territory. And when England are underperforming, it is natural to look at the root of the problem.
"England and the Leicester connection is an intriguing subplot to the progress of the national team. It is peculiar that the most successful club side over generations should be seen to be anything other than a gift to the national set-up. But the members of the England management detest the subject and they are disgusted by the negative perceptions of the association. They are proud of their roots and loath to discuss them.
"We are just five minutes into an interview with Graham Rowntree, the England scrum coach and a very likeable personality, when he says: “I’ll be frank, if we’re going to spend all morning talking about the Leicester mafia and perceptions of it, I’ll walk away now. I’m sick of hearing about it.”
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