Leicester were once a byword for stability. Like Liverpool FC, they had a reputation for promoting from within and benefiting from a boot room that allowed players to transition into management – think Dean Richards, Richard Cockerill and Geordan Murphy.

It could be argued that last week’s decision to part company with head coach Dan McKellar after one season in charge was more typical of the Tigers in the professional era than the pathway. he statement was released at a time when it would have minimum impact, late Saturday afternoon after England had beaten Japan and South Africa had overco...