Saracens bizarrely change chief Brendan Venter’s job title to ‘head of rugby culture and WINE consultant’… as club exploit media loophole after racking up a £5,000 fine

Saracens have changed boss Brendan Venter’s job title to ‘head of rugby culture and wine consultant’ in a bid to ensure the eccentric South African can avoid undertaking media duties.In January, the Londoners confirmed Venter was returning for a second stint at the club to replace Mark McCall – who had been in charge for 15 years – as director of rugby.PREM Rugby rules state that the person who occupies that role – or relevant position as the head of the rugby operation – of each of its 10 teams must attend a weekly media conference and undertake pre and post-match duties with television and written journalists.Saracens received a £5,000 fine from the PREM because Venter did not attend the league’s official pre-season media day at Twickenham earlier this month.Further financial punishments followed after Venter was not seen both before and after Saracens’ impressive league-opening win at Leicester.Head coach Joe Shaw spoke to media instead and is set to continue to do so moving forwards.  Saracens have changed Brendan Venter’s job title to ‘head of rugby culture and wine consultant’ in a bid to ensure he can avoid undertaking media dutiesSaracens are understood to be disputing the fines handed out to them after arguing that Venter’s official position has now changed and asking for permission for Shaw to be the one who undertakes press commitments. That is despite the fact it is Venter who is quite clearly the man in charge. He celebrated his team’s victory at Leicester enthusiastically.Further, Daily Mail Sport understands that Venter has already mapped out Saracens’ team selection for the coming weeks, making a mockery of his new title.During his first spell at Saracens, Venter was fined on several occasions for comments made to the media. In 2010, after his team were beaten by French side Racing Metro in a European clash, the now 56-year-old gave an infamous, cringeworthy interview to Sky Sports that lasted just 57 seconds. He is keen to avoid a repeat of that scenario but the wine expert’s new official position may yet only serve to cause Saracens further trouble.