Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths has stressed thattheclub's growing notoriety is ill-deserved and railed at being cast as ‘South African raiders' in the English game.
While Saracens have been praised for their storming passage into Saturday's Guinness Premiership final, they have been mired in controversy off the pitch.
Saracens were infuriated by the severity of the punishment on director of rugby Brendan Venter after his outburst during a match earlier this season, igniting a war of words with the RFU that saw Griffiths threatened with a possible misconduct charge
Earlier this year Venter picked up a suspended four-week ban for criticising referees, while Saracens have also been engaged in a season-long spat with Northampton across two different issues.
Eddie Jones, Venter's predecessor, departed last season amid reports of disquiet at the growing South African influence at Vicarage Road but Griffiths denied they had sought to upset the establishment.
"We regret the perception that we're doing things deliberately because it runs contrary to the values of our club," he said. "There's probably a perception of the South Africanisation of Saracens that's just wide of the mark. It doesn't exist. We have a significant number of South African players and a South African director of rugby but the character and core of the club remains English.
"Just look at the players we've produced through the academy. The soul of this club remains emphatically English.
"The idea that we're South African raiders trying to tear up the fabric of English rugby is nonsense. We don't seek confrontation with anybody but if something appears to be wrong we are within our rights to say so.
"If we have gained any notoriety then it's not deserved. We're as enthusiastic for the values of English rugby as anyone."
The RFU last week criticised Saracens' conduct for being at odds with the game's core values and on Tuesday, Griffiths unveiled the club's own philosophy called ‘Our Vision'.
The club has never won the Premiership but has a prime chance to do so against Leicester this weekend in what will be the final match for New Zealanders Glen Jackson and Justin Marshall before retirement.

IRISH RUGBY IN CRISIS

Ireland's Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan has stated his intention of making the Heineken Cup ‘free to air' for Irish viewers.
This could lead to a severe loss in TV revenue for Irish provinces, and a worrying time for Irish rugby.
Three Heineken Cups in four seasons have propelled Irish sides to the very top of European rugby. So much so that, two Irish sides losing in the 2010 semifinals, and a second place for the national team in the Six Nations, is now considered a disappointing year in the emerald isle. But it could be about to get a whole lot worse.
That's the view of Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson after Irish Government plans to make the Heineken Cup, along with other sports festivals ‘free to air.' Currently the Irish provinces make in the region of £4 million each from television rights and that number would be severely slashed if Sky Sports lose the rights for the Heineken Cup in Ireland.
Click here to read more

HABANA BACK TO HAUNT BULLS

Twelve months ago flying wing Bryan Habana was one of the Bulls' aces, but this time around he is in the opposition in Saturday's Super 14 final at Soweto.
The Bulls know only too well the danger Habana represents.
Springbok and former Bulls teammate Victor Matfield told keo.co.za: "Bryan playing us is not an issue for the team. We know we'll have to look at him and keep an eye on him, but that's just because he's a special player. It's just like we're playing any other side, there are always two or three guys like that in a team that you have to be wary of."
Habana will be up against a lively replacement in Gerhard van den Heever, who had scored eight tries in the competition before having to sit out a two-game ban.
Matfield is confident the 21-year-old win can handle the pressure of the final and marking Habana.
"That's why his name is ‘Shadow', you don't see him or hear him at training. He's just kept to himself, which is his usual build-up," he said.
"He'll be marking a guy who he's looked up to, but he must focus on his game. There will also be loads of experience around him, so that will help."

ALL BLACKS BATTLING FOR FITNESS AND FORM

There is mostly bad news on the growing injury list as D-day for All Blacks selection approaches.
Mils Muliaina was due back from his broken thumb this Saturday for his club in Waikato. The 82-test fullback is out of his thumb cast and was ready to go, but tweaked a calf in training and will have to be patient.
Lock Tom Donnelly has not yet fronted for his Central Otago club but is slated for a Queen's Birthday return in a regional rep match. That may be too late to reclaim his All Blacks position, given the squad is announced in Auckland this Sunday. The Highlander is over his ankle surgery but the Tri Nations looms as a better bet to press his claims, leaving the way clear for a Sam Whitelock to make the cut.
Isaia Toeava's season is over after succumbing to a painful hip injury. The utility back would have been a certainty for the All Blacks given his form and versatility, but will now face surgery.
There is better news for the vexed No 10 back-up position. Stephen Donald made a full return from his calf tear of the April 23 Chiefs v Cheetahs match and saw 80 minutes of action for his club in Waikato last Saturday. He also did some goalkicking, poorly.
Hooker Aled de Malmanche seems certain to at least win New Zealand Maori selection. He too returned from a thumb injury, for the Chiefs against the Blues on May 15.
Centre Richard Kahui too may have to content himself with a Maori call-up, but he is some time away from any contact due to a breast/collarbone problem.
There are walking wounded at the Blues, though most of the squad are 100 percent, including the much-talked about second five Benson Stanley.
Joe Rokocoko is having a scan on his dicky right knee today (Thursday), but his issue, though restricting his training, is not thought to be too troublesome and he should be available for selection on Sunday.
Graham Henry has said, quite rightly, it is the worse injury toll he has struck in his six year All Blacks tenure.

STORMERS NOT BACKING DOWN

The Stormers are going for gold in Soweto and certainly not heading to Orlando Stadium to make up the numbers this Saturday.
"Some athletes go to the Olympic Games to compete and content to run in the finals, while others go there like Usain Bolt to win gold medals and break records," said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee after his side beat the Waratahs 25-6 in their Super 14 semifinal at Newlands.
"This Stormers side has a lot of respect for the Bulls. They are the best team in the Southern Hemisphere, but we're not heading there just to run the race. We'll make sure we're well prepared and give it a full go."
Coetzee lauded the character of his side after a clinical semifinal performance that brought a standing ovation from the 48,000-strong Newlands crowd.
"You see the character and commitment of a side in its defence," said the coach after his side kept the Waratahs tryless for the second time at Newlands this year.
"People have had a go at the Stormers for years about flattering to deceive, not producing and only being a great team on paper. But this is a matured Stormers side that learned lessons in last year's Currie Cup and the Super 14. We're just happy we can be part of history this coming weekend."
Click here to read more

LAST HURRAH FOR TIATIA

Former All Black Filo Tiatia will not be turning back on his decision to retire at the end of the British rugby season.
The 38-year-old will be making his 99th appearance for the Ospreys in Saturday's Celtic League final against Leinster.
Tiatia, originally from Wellington for whom he played from 1992-2001, played two tests for the All Blacks in 2000, before continuing his career in Japan and Britain.
"If I'm involved for the final it will be my last professional game, so mixed emotions," he told bbc.co.uk.
"At the same time I'm sort of looking forward to it as well. I'm pretty happy with whatever number I end up with.
Tiatia's typical hard-working approach made him a favourite of fans at Ospreys after his arrival for the 2006-07 season.
"I turned up here as a 34-year-old, 34-and-a-half or 35 or whatever it was, and I didn't really expect to play too many games," he said.
Click here to read more

HAPE AT HOME

Former New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape insists he will feel right at home when he lines up alongside English rugby royalty at Twickenham.
Hape will form a midfield partnership with ‘His Royal Highness' Mike Tindall – the other half of Princess Zara Phillips – on his senior England debut against the Barbarians on Sunday.
The Bath centre played 14 tests for the Kiwis before switching codes in 2008 and his selection for England will reopen the raging debate about imported talent.
England's cricketers were propelled to their recent World Twenty20 triumph by a trio of South African-born players in Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen.
But Hape said: "I am proud to pull on that England jersey, I've been over here for eight years, my kids were born here and it is home to me now, so I feel very comfortable with it. It's a great honour and I will be going out there not only representing my country – England – but my family that live here and all my friends.
"I've got my dual citizenship, I'm a dual international, I'm not the first and I won't be the last," says Hape.

JUAN SMITH ON INDEFINITE LEAVE

Juan Smith is unlikely to play again for South Africa until the home leg of the Tri Nations in late August after revealing he was yet to get over the death of his father.
The 28-year-old Cheetahs flanker was surprisingly left out of the Springbok team to play Wales in Cardiff on June 5, but has now explained that he had asked to be excluded.
Smith's father Giel died in Bloemfontein in early April, prompting the forward to miss a few Super 14 games for his franchise, which he captains.
With several regular national players not chosen for the game at the Millennium Stadium due to their involvement in the competition finale, he was expected to play.
But he said: "My mum is going through a tough time and is very emotional. I have been very busy of late as I played for the Cheetahs in the Super 14 after my father's death.
"That is why his passing has not really sunk in. The reality only hit home now and I don't want to play for the Boks if I'm not 100 percent right."
While he could not set an exact date for his return, he suggested that he may play again for the World Cup holders when they return from their three-game tour to Australia and New Zealand.