Overview
- Citing Wednesday's fine, Brendan Venter publicly called Premiership Rugby's enforcement 'autocratic' after he missed a pre-season media day and refused routine interviews.
- Premiership Rugby imposed a £5,000 penalty on Saracens for Venter's absence from the designated media event at Twickenham before the season.
- Saracens have formalised Venter's title as technical director and head of culture and said head coach Joe Shaw will perform most pre- and post-match media duties.
- Venter says he seeks a low public profile because media work 'stole his joy' in an earlier spell and his past controversial press moments help explain his reluctance to speak.
- Club business continues on the field with Shaw reporting Noah Caluori back in training and Theo Dan likely to be available in the coming weeks, and the dispute could prompt clearer rules on who must speak for clubs.