Anyone counting the number of times Steve Borthwick has referenced how Leicester were used to fighting relegation battles when he arrived at Welford Road will have long since run out of fingers and toes. In fairness the coach’s attempts to keep the lid on the hype have evidently worked, given this is the first season any side has topped the table after every round but, approaching Saturday’s Premiership semi-finals, there is no escaping the expectation on Leicester to deliver.
To illustrate their resurgence, they are unbeaten in the league at home all season. A thumping opening-day win over Exeter and a last-gasp victory over Saracens add to the sense that Leicester are destined for a return to Twickenham for their first final in nine years and, if their form has not quite been making as many headlines in recent weeks, it is because their playoff place was wrapped up long ago.
