Saracens face fines as Venter skips media duties
Saracens face a run of fines from Prem Rugby because Brendan Venter has not carried out the media duties expected of a director of rugby.
The club have already been given a £5,000 sanction after Venter missed the league's pre-season launch day, according to BBC Sport. More penalties are expected to follow.
The silence continued into the new season. Venter did not speak to the media before, during or after Saracens' opening-weekend victory away at Leicester Tigers.
The Daily Telegraph reported last month that Venter had resigned as director of rugby, the boss in charge of the playing side, to take a role described as head of rugby culture and wine consultant. The same report said head coach Joe Shaw would take over media commitments.
BBC Sport, citing that report, said Saracens asked permission in July for Shaw to front the club's media work. Neither Saracens nor Prem Rugby has confirmed that change of title or responsibility.
Saracens' own team news for the Leicester game still listed Venter as director of rugby alongside Shaw. The club's fixtures announcement for the 2026-27 Gallagher Prem season also described him as the new director of rugby.
Venter was announced in January as returning to the post from the start of this season, according to Saracens. He succeeded Mark McCall, who stepped down at the end of last season after 15 years in charge. Venter's first spell in the job began in 2009.
What makes this stand out is the history. In September 2010 Saracens apologised to European officials after then-captain Steve Borthwick missed the Heineken Cup launch in Cardiff. He was the only absentee among coaches and captains from 12 English, Welsh and Scottish clubs. The club had sent him to a team bonding trip at a beer festival in Munich instead.
Three months later Venter was warned by the same organisers after giving very short answers in a television interview following a 24-21 defeat by Racing Metro. He later said the performance was inspired by the film Mike Bassett: England Manager. He left his full-time role midway through the 2010-11 season and was replaced by McCall. Borthwick, that missing captain, is now England head coach.
For fans, this means the dispute is about access as much as administration. In the Prem, England's top division, the lead coach is required to speak at set times so broadcasters and newspapers can carry the team's side of the story.
Saracens are disputing the £5,000 fine, according to Yahoo Sport. The same report said the club have been warned that further breaches will bring fines of £1,000, rising to £2,000.
