So long Mr Venty Spleen (sort of...)

Last night it was revealed that Brendan Venter, everyone's favourite pantomime villain, is heading back to South Africa.

With a swoop of his cape and a maniacal laugh, the 40-year-old Saracens' director of rugby is exiting stage left and returning to his homeland citing "family reasons."

When you see the name Brendan Venter it is usually accompanied with the words "colourful", "headstrong" or sometimes even "arrogant."  However, I will miss all the hoopla surrounding one of the most controversial figures in rugby when he jets off back to the southern hemisphere.

The former centre's knuckles must be red-raw from all the raps he's received during his 18-months at Saracens.  Firstly, he was served with a four-week suspended sentence in January for criticising referee David Rose.  Then he was slapped with a 10-week match-day ban in May for "provocative and inappropriate gestures and comments" towards opposition fans - also known as doing the wanker sign, allegedly.

This forced Venter to watch Saracens play, and subsequently lose, last season's Premiership final from the discomfort of his own living room.  Add into the mix criticism for the way he ate a biscuit during a disciplinary hearing and the fine he was given last month for remarks made after a Heineken Cup tie, and you can see why the media is sad to see him go.

However, there does seem to be another side to Venter's personality.  I saw an interview with him on The Rugby Club a few months ago which went some way to quash the image usually presented of the former Springbok.  Sarries players spoke of him warmly and talked about how Venter, a qualified doctor, had visited them at their homes when their children were sick - such is the family focus at Vicarage Road.

It's not a side of Venter that is seen very often.  I suppose it ruins his panto villain image and he can't be having that - especially at this time of the year when Z-list celebrities are dusting off their Widow Twanky costumes.

Therefore, I think it is real a shame that Venter is stepping down and moving into the newly created role of technical director.  He will continue to advise from afar while first-team coach Mark McCall becomes director of rugby and Andy Farrell takes McCall's old job.

Vilified and commended for his style in equal measure, it is no doubt the Aviva Premiership will be a much duller place without the ever controversial Brendan Venter.

PS: He's behind you.

Leicester Tigers v Saracens: The Guinness Premiership Final

The Guinness Premiership reaches its climax this Saturday, where reigning champions Leicester Tigers will battle it out with Saracens in a bid to get their hands on the prized silverware.

The 81,600 sell out crowd at Twickenham will see six-time finalists and three time winners, Leicester, play Sarries, who haven't won a trophy since the Tetley Bitter Cup back in 1998.

Brendan Venter, Saracens controversial director of rugby, is banned from team involvement at Twickenham on finals day after failing to get his 14 week ban overturned.

However, Venter's ban, hardly a shock after his needling of opposition, referees and the establishment this season, will no doubt galvanise his team further.

England skipper Steve Borthwick returns at lock for Saracens after a two-month injury absence but number eight Ernst Joubert retains the captaincy.

Should Sarries fans be worried that Borthwick is back?  After all, they have seen their team play some expansive rugby with flair during his stint on the sidelines.  Probably not.

Elsewhere, Sarries' Kiwi half back pairing, Glen Jackson and Justin Marshall, hope to end their careers on a high before retiring.

Over in the Leicester camp, coach Richard Cockerill will be in the stands after escaping with a slap on the wrists from an RFU hearing.  The Tigers supremo took his frustration out on a wall during the semi-final game against Bath.  I can only assume that he had left his Olly Barkley voodoo doll at home.

Speaking of Bath, the final will be Lewis Moody's last game for Leicester before joining up with the men in blue, black and white next season.

In other team news, Tigers flanker Craig Newby is available for the game after he was cleared of a dangerous tackle in the semi-final.

But who will win?

This is a real tough one to call.  Leicester are the most consistent Guinness Premiership team and are strongest at the scrum and line-out.  They put on a master class of how to use the set-piece to smother their opponents, Bath, into submission two weeks ago.  They will look to target the throw of players' player of the season, hooker Schalk Brits, and put pressure on him at scrum-time.

Toby Flood will be key for the Tigers both with his kicking and running of the game.  His battle with opposite number Glen Jackson will be crucial in deciding which team will lift the trophy when the clock goes red.

As for Saracens, I expect to see yet more from full-back Alex Goode who impressed in the semi-final against Northampton Saints.  Flanker Andy Saull is in a rich vein of form, and there is the power of Ernst Joubert and that man Brits.

If Saracens can hold their own at the set piece then they have every chance of lifting the cup.

Don't forget, they beat Leicester 32-23 at Welford Road in the final round of the regular season, crushing the Tigers' bid to be unbeaten at home in the campaign.

However, Leicester we missing key men that day, including the instrumental Toby Flood.

My prediction:  On paper I would have to say Leicester Tigers due to their big match experience and league winning pedigree.  However, I have the sneaking feeling that Saracens might just do them again.  It would be a fitting finale to the season for Brendan Venter's team - and I would have to say that they would deserve it, after adding a lot of colour and spice to this season.

Saracens to win by 9.

Skillz

Guinness Premiership finalists Leicester and Saracens are both pretty slick when it comes to ball handling, lineouts, scrum time and racking up the points.

But which team is better at, say, throwing balls through the sunroof of a Landrover?

I wonder...

There's only one way to find out.

First up, Leicester Tigers:



Hmm, pretty poor.  Can Sarries do any better?



We have a winner.

But are these skillz a pointer to who will win the final?

Of course not.  Don't be silly.