Crossword Genius

Villain in connection with specially trained group (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cadre

'specially trained group' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'villain in connection with' is the wordplay.
'villain' becomes 'cad' (cad can mean a nasty person).
'in connection with' becomes 're' (regarding).
'cad'+'re'='CADRE'

(Other definitions for cadre that I've seen before include "team" , "Fighting unit" , "Raced (anag) - small central group" , "Nucleus, corps" , "Raced about in military group" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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