Venter: ERC must ensure consistent approach

SARACENS boss Brendan Venter has pleaded with rugby’s global authorities to seize the new international directives on refereeing and let the game flourish.

South African Venter, director of rugby at Saracens, made his views known as teams from across Europe prepare for the new Heineken Cup campaign, which starts in a fortnight and will see officials from different countries applying the laws in their own way.

European Rugby Cup Ltd, the organisers of the Heineken Cup and its sister competition the Amlin Challenge Cup, say they have listened to the clubs over recent years and appointed a former international official to oversee the consistency of referees and their performances.