Saracens to Face Fines Over Director of Rugby's Media No-Shows

Saracens are facing a series of fines from Prem Rugby due to director of rugby Brendan Venter's alleged failure to fulfill media commitments.

The club is understood to have already received a £5,000 sanction after Venter was absent from the Prem's pre-season launch day. He also did not engage with the media before, during, or after the team's opening-weekend victory at Leicester.

According to a report, Venter resigned as director of rugby last month and assumed a new role as "head of rugby culture and wine consultant." In this capacity, head coach Joe Shaw would reportedly handle media responsibilities. The report also claimed Saracens sought permission in July for Shaw to represent the club in media engagements. However, neither Prem Rugby nor the club has confirmed these details.

It is also believed that a change in job title would not exempt Venter from his contractual media obligations. Saracens announced in January that Venter was returning to the club as director of rugby, and they have yet to confirm any alterations to his day-to-day duties. He succeeded Mark McCall, who stepped down after 15 seasons with the club.

This is not the first time Venter has faced scrutiny over media commitments. During his initial tenure as Saracens' director of rugby, which began in 2009, the club encountered similar issues. In September 2010, Saracens issued an apology to European Rugby Cup (ERC) officials after then-captain Steve Borthwick failed to attend the Heineken Cup launch in Cardiff. Borthwick, now England's head coach, was the sole representative missing from the coaches and captains of 12 participating clubs. At the time, Saracens reportedly instructed Borthwick to attend a team-bonding event in Munich instead.

In December 2010, Venter himself was cautioned by European Rugby Cup officials following a post-match interview after his team's Heineken Cup loss to Racing Metro. During the interview, he provided brief answers and appeared to agree with whatever questions were posed, a tactic he later stated was inspired by a scene in the football mockumentary film Mike Bassett: England Manager. Venter departed his full-time role at Saracens midway through the 2010-11 season, with McCall taking over as director of rugby.