Compulsory media duties like something in an autocracy – Venter

Saracens' Brendan Venter compares Prem Rugby's media obligations to "something from an autocratic land" after reluctantly speaking at a press conference. Brendan Venter appeared alongside head coach Joe Shaw (left) to preview Saracens' game against Bristol on Saturday Saracens' Brendan Venter compared Prem Rugby's media obligations to "something from an autocratic land" after he made a reluctant appearance at a press conference. The 56-year-old returned to a full-time role at the club in the summer, initially as director of rugby, but has since been given an updated job title of head of culture and technical director. His no-show at a pre-season media event cost Saracens a £5,000 fine and he avoided questions before and after the club's opening-round win over Leicester.

However, he appeared alongside head coach Joe Shaw to preview this Saturday's match against Bristol and, after initially offering only short answers to reporters' questions, railed against the expectation that he would be the public face of the club. "I have the desire as a human being not to want to talk," he said. "It is not about me, it is about the team… I expressed that desire before I came." Venter added: "I asked really kindly and eventually I bent over backwards to explain my position. And then I'm expected again to come and do an interview. "If