The largely South African owned and staffed Saracens have done themselves no favours in their future participation of rugby in England by likening the RFU's management of the game of rugby in England to the running of a "rural prep school" as part of a verbal spat in the media between the club and the RFU.
Earlier in the day the Rugby Football Union slammed Saracens for critising the manner in which their director of rugby Brendan Venter was banned from the Premiership final against Leicester.
Saracens then reacted to the RFU's release which explained the reasons for Brendan Venter's 14 week ban handed down earlier this week by slamming the RFU's running of game the game
Former South Africa centre Venter received a 14-week touchline ban on Tuesday after being found guilty of making inappropriate gestures and comments to spectators during his side's 32-23 win at Leicester on May 8.
Saracens leapt to Venter's defence upon the news of his charges, with chief executive Ed Griffiths quoted as saying: "It is astonishing that the RFU has brought and publicised these charges after requesting statements only from Leicester supporters and stewards and so hearing only one side of the story.
"Brendan, a medical doctor, is rightly appalled that charges have been brought before anybody has even had the courtesy of speaking to him."
But the RFU responded strongly and their written judgment from Venter's disciplinary hearing read: "The response of the Saracens management to these proceedings has been very disappointing and statements on their website criticising these proceedings do the club no credit.
"Their staff were clearly involved in some unpleasant events on 8 May which could have led to significant crowd trouble, but they have sought to lay blame elsewhere.
"All clubs have a responsibility to maintain the core values of the game and to ensure their staffs' conduct is exemplary.
"On this occasion Saracens should have done more to ensure better behaviour amongst their own staff and to reprimand them for their poor behaviour afterwards."
RFU Judge Jeff Blackett, in his summary comments, added: "Any criticism that they should first have interviewed Saracens staff before deciding to lay the charge is unfounded.
"There was sufficient evidence from the complainant and others to provide a strong prima facie case and gathering contrary statements would not have prevented a hearing."
Saracens hit back later on Thursday as Chief Executive Edward Griffiths said: "This kind of public attack on a leading club does the RFU no credit at all.
"We find ourselves in a ludicrous situation where Brendan Venter, our Director of Rugby, has been banned from attending the Premiership final because, during our recent match at Leicester, he was given a seat with a restricted view... he stood to follow the play... he was shouted down and abused by home supporters... in response, he did not swear at anybody and did not make any obscene gestures.
In the explanation of Venter's charge the RFU said in their statement that, "Witnesses spoke of his (Venter's) arrogant behaviour and the panel witnessed a certain disdain from Venter when he appeared at the hearing (for example by coming back to hear his sanction eating a biscuit and throwing sweet papers across the table)."
Saracens hit back by saying,"Blackett's judgement borders on self-parody, citing Venter eating a biscuit as alleged evidence of disdain for the process. Why did the RFU provide biscuits if they were not to be eaten?"
"Perhaps it is time for English rugby to be run like a modern professional sport, and not a rural prep school."
"It goes without saying we will appeal against Blackett's judgement." added Griffiths.
The RFU will no doubt not take the criticism of their management of the English game lightly and Saracens response will only sour the relationship between the club and the national body.
The battle between the RFU and Saracens looks to be on course for a hefty clash where there can only be one winner and that is the headmaster of the "rural prep school".
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