Saracens Fined Over Venter's Media No-Shows — SkimNews
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- Saracens face fines from Prem Rugby after director of rugby Brendan Venter failed to fulfil media commitments, including a £5,000 sanction for missing the Prem's pre-season launch day
- Venter did not speak to the media before, during, or after the club's opening-weekend victory at Leicester
- The Daily Telegraph reported Venter "resigned" as director of rugby last month and took up a new role of "head of rugby culture and wine consultant," with head coach Joe Shaw assuming media duties — though neither Saracens nor Prem Rugby has confirmed any change
- A change of job title would not preclude Venter from his contractual media responsibilities, per understanding cited in the report
- Venter succeeded Mark McCall, who stepped down after 15 trophy-laden years, with Saracens announcing in January that he would be returning as director of rugby
- During Venter's first spell (from 2009), the club apologized in September 2010 to European Rugby Cup officials after captain Steve Borthwick — now England head coach — missed the Heineken Cup launch to attend a team bonding session at a Munich beer festival
- In December 2010, Venter himself was warned by ERC for a post-match interview after a 24-21 Heineken Cup loss to Racing Metro, in which he gave short answers inspired by the football mockumentary film Mike Bassett: England Manager
Why it matters: Prem Rugby is enforcing media obligations even when clubs try to restructure around them — the reported "wine consultant" title change does not shield Venter from contractual duties, and with neither club nor league confirming the reshuffle, Saracens have left unresolved questions over who fronts press duties heading into the new season.
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