Brendan Venter challenges Prem Rugby media obligations after Saracens fine

Brendan Venter has challenged Prem Rugby's requirement for senior coaches to speak to the media, saying he wanted a lower public profile during his return to Saracens. BBC Sport reported that the club's head of culture and technical director made the comments at a press conference alongside head coach Joe Shaw.

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Venter said he had explained his reluctance to give interviews before taking up the role and wanted to concentrate on coaching. He argued that Shaw could represent the club in front of reporters and rejected the suggestion that his stance reflected arrogance. His criticism included a comparison between compulsory interviews and restrictions associated with autocratic rule.

The appearance did not establish an exemption from the league's requirements. According to BBC Sport, Prem Rugby expects each club's most senior coach to undertake routine media work, regardless of job title. Venter has said team selection at Saracens is determined collectively, rather than by one individual exercising the final decision.

The dispute had already brought a financial sanction. In its September 29 reporting, the BBC said Saracens were understood to have received a £5,000 fine because Venter missed the league's pre-season launch. He also did not speak to the media before, during or after the opening-weekend victory at Leicester. That report said further fines were expected, without confirming additional amounts.

Saracens announced Venter's return as director of rugby in January, ahead of his taking over from Mark McCall following the end of the season. McCall had spent 15 years in the role. Venter's earlier spell began in 2009 and ended midway through the 2010-11 campaign, when McCall replaced him. Media commitments were a source of friction during that first period too.

In September 2010, Saracens apologised after captain Steve Borthwick missed the Heineken Cup launch, having been sent instead to a team-bonding event in Munich. Later that year, European Rugby Cup officials warned Venter over an interview following a defeat by Racing Metro in which he repeatedly responded with brief agreement. The current disagreement therefore revisits an issue that also marked his previous tenure.