Saracens rename Brendan Venter ‘wine consultant’ amid media duty dispute

Saracens have appointed Brendan Venter as ‘head of rugby culture and wine consultant’ following a dispute regarding mandatory media obligations within Premiership Rugby. The unusual title change follows Venter’s departure from his role as director of rugby last month.

The club faced a £5,000 fine after Venter failed to attend a pre-season promotional event at Twickenham, and a subsequent suspended £500 fine after he was absent from media duties surrounding the club’s opening match against Leicester Tigers. Under Premiership regulations, the individual in the director of rugby role or an equivalent leadership position must attend weekly media sessions and match-day press conferences.

Saracens are disputing the fines, arguing that Venter no longer holds the specific position required to trigger these media mandates. The club has indicated that head coach Joe Shaw will assume responsibility for the necessary media duties moving forward, despite Venter remaining heavily involved in team decisions and rugby operations.