Wednesday saw the Rugby Football Union hit Saracens Director of Rugby Brendan Venter with disciplinary charges after an outburst over the standards of refereeing in the English Premiership.

Venter was summoned to a disciplinary hearing on January 19 to answer charges of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

The charges relate to Venter's comments about the performance of referee David Rose following Saracens' 22-15 loss away to Leicester on January 2.

Venter is accused of questioning Rose's integrity by saying the official had been a different referee in the second half of Saturday's match at Welford Road.

The former Springbok centre's comments received wide publicity, partly because he broadened his comments to slam the standard of officiating in the Premiership in general, which he blamed for a lack of tries this season.

Venter said: "There is a problem and that is the game is determined by referees and not by teams.

"Everybody says: 'Why don't you play a lot of rugby?'

"I go: 'Maybe it's just not worth it because it is a lottery'.

"Everybody wants to know why the game is dying. Maybe that is why the game is dying."

Venter faces a heavy fine and a touchline ban if the charges against him are upheld.

AFP