Brendan Venter is still refusing to talk to reporters, and Saracens boss Joe Shaw won’t say when, or if, that changes. The director of rugby skipped Wednesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of the game with Sale, joining the media duties he has declined this season. He was not at Prem Rugby’s pre-season launch day, and he has done no interviews before, during or after the opening-weekend victory at Leicester.
Shaw declined to say whether Venter will resume media work as part of his new role as director of rugby. He chose instead to emphasize the rugby itself.
“I’m just going to talk about the rugby,” Shaw said. “I’ll leave the club to talk about where we stand on all those kind of things.”
The Fine Already Paid
The Prem’s pre-season launch day saw Venter absent, and Saracens have already been fined £5,000 for that absence. That fine came after Venter skipped the event entirely, having previously declined every interview request this season before, during and after matches.
Beyond that, the source does not detail any additional consequences that might come with further absences.
Some think altering Venter’s job title will not keep him from fulfilling his contractual duties. His new position as “head of rugby culture and wine consultant” might not spare him from them either.
What The Title Change Means
The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Venter had “resigned” as director of rugby and taken up the new position. The club and Prem Rugby have not confirmed that report.
In January, Saracens confirmed Venter’s return as director of rugby. No public announcement has since been made about altering his daily duties.
Mark McCall stepped down at the end of last season after 15 years in the role, and Venter has now taken over for him.
Hartley’s Injury Blow
Sunday’s 38-40 win at Leicester saw centre Olly Hartley break his arm, and Shaw has confirmed it. Hartley needed full knee reconstruction following a serious injury he suffered during a match against Gloucester in April 2024.
That prior injury required major surgery, and it left Hartley sidelined for months. The club has not announced a timeline for his return.
The man was withdrawn from the game at Welford Road after just 13 minutes. By that point, Sarries held a lead of 14-0. Yet the home side cut that gap to 14-12 within the next 13 minutes following his departure.
“When you play and train with somebody, like they have been with Olly for so long, and then it’s the first game of the season and someone gets properly hurt, breaks their arm, you’re human beings, it affects you,” Shaw said.
“We managed to to shuffle things around really calmly, with good leadership from the people on the pitch, and it was really pleasing to get through that adversity.”
The Unconfirmed Report
Until the club makes a statement, the report from The Telegraph that Venter stepped down and accepted a wine consultancy position has not been verified by either the club or Prem Rugby.
Saracens have not addressed whether Venter’s responsibilities have changed since January.
What To Watch Next
Wednesday’s press conference will reveal whether Venter shows up, which would signal whether the club is ready to face another fine. The source does not describe any consequences tied to additional missed appearances.
Venter’s presence alone would be notable. It would mark the first time he has attended a media duty since declining them at the start of the season.
Key Facts Box
- Venter skipped Prem Rugby’s pre-season launch day
- Saracens have already been fined £5,000
- Venter succeeded Mark McCall, who stepped down after 15 years
- Hartley broke his arm in Sunday’s 40-38 win at Leicester
- Hartley’s previous injury required full knee reconstruction after a match against Gloucester in April 2024
Before Wednesday arrives, the club holds the opportunity to resolve this matter. Whether it chooses to do so is yet unknown.
Source material: “Saracens boss Venter skips more media duties,” the BBC.
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