Brendan Venter disputes Prem Rugby media duties after Saracens fine

Brendan Venter has publicly challenged Prem Rugby's media requirements after attending a Saracens press conference alongside head coach Joe Shaw. BBC Sport reported that Venter's absence from a pre-season media event had already resulted in a £5,000 fine for the club. He also did not answer questions before or after Saracens' opening-round victory over Leicester.

Watch the highlights:

The 56-year-old returned to a full-time position at Saracens during the summer, initially as director of rugby. His title has since changed to head of culture and technical director. At his latest appearance, Venter initially gave brief responses before explaining his objection to being required to act as a public representative for the club.

Venter said he had made clear before returning that he wanted to concentrate on coaching and maintain a lower public profile. He argued that Shaw was well placed to speak on behalf of Saracens and questioned why the club should be fined over his own reluctance to give interviews. According to the BBC's account, he also rejected the suggestion that his stance reflected a belief that media work was beneath him.

Prem Rugby's rules require each club's most senior coach to undertake routine media duties, regardless of the precise title attached to the role. The BBC cited Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter and Gloucester head coach George Skivington as examples of senior decision-makers who regularly face questions. Venter told TNT Sport in a weekend interview that Saracens make team-selection decisions collectively, rather than giving one individual the final say.

The disagreement follows an earlier Saracens tenure in which Venter faced several disciplinary issues. During that spell, he was punished over comments about refereeing and gestures towards spectators. A touchline suspension prevented him from attending the 2010 Premiership final, when Saracens lost to Leicester. He left the club in 2011 after 16 months in charge.

Despite his objections to media duties, Venter said his enjoyment of coaching and working with players had persuaded him to return when owner Dominic Silvester approached him. BBC Sport reported that he is expected to continue facing the media during the campaign. His comments therefore set out a challenge to the existing requirements, rather than an announced exemption from them.