New Saracens chief executive Ed Coetzee confirmed on Friday that Venter’s job title, which differs to the one he was said to have when appointed to succeed Mark McCall, includes “significant media duties”.

Venter duly spoke to TNT Sports before the match with Sale and said he refused the director of rugby job title because he had “absolutely nothing” to do with other departments of the club, such as the academy and women’s section.

The 56-year-old also insisted the wine consultant reference was not a joke aimed at the media.

“Our whole theme this year was all about wine,” Venter said. “Everything in our theme was about a blend and getting the blend right.”

But Care said the stories around Venter’s role looked to have had a negative impact on the pitch.

“Sarries have done some amazing things in the last year or so, bringing a new energy, a new vibe,” he said.

“But then it just feels like they’re taking the mickey out of everyone by [saying] ‘he’s not doing interviews today’ and taking fines and changing his job title.

“You can only do that when you are so much better at rugby than everyone else and at the moment, they’re not.

“[The performance against Sale] looked flat. It looked quiet. I don’t blame the players. I blame the management for that.”