Northampton have accused the Rugby Football Union (RFU) of making a clandestine approach for their assistant coach Alex King to complete new England rugby boss Eddie Jones' backroom staff and could make an official complaint.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder said Saints had been "kept in the dark" since it emerged Jones had identified King as the final addition to his team following the appointments of Steve Borthwick and Paul Gustard.
Jones has met King but Mallinder is unaware of the contents of their conversation and has received no contact from the RFU over his assistant's future.
Mallinder insisted the uncertainty over King was a distraction heading into the 9-9 Champions Cup draw with Racing 92 at Franklin's Gardens.
"As a club, we've had no official contact at all so we're in the dark. As a club, we've had no formal approach. It's disappointing," Mallinder said.
"Alex King is a key part of our coaching staff. We're in a vital part of the season, building up to a massive game in Racing.
"What you don't want to hear, by reading in the press or being told, is that somebody is talking to one of your coaches.
"I wouldn't like it if somebody I knew was talking to one of our players from another club and that's what's happened."
When asked if Northampton would make a complaint, Mallinder replied: "All I can say is that it's not helped our preparation this week. We'll see where we go from there.
"I'd have thought that if an organisation wants to speak to one of your employees, then what you do is contact the club and do it officially.
"That's what would happen in the Premiership if we wanted to speak to another player or coach.
"We don't want to talk about compensation because we don't know if Alex will be their new backs' coach or not. It's very early to discuss that.
"Alex has told me that he's met Eddie and that's all that I know. It's certainly not ideal."
Share
