Saracens could be fined after captain Steve Borthwick missed the launch of the Heineken Cup because he was at the Munich Beer festival.

Borthwick was expected to attend the launch in Cardiff yesterday but the club decided he should go to Germany with the rest of their squad.

European Rugby Cup chief executive Derek McGrath said: "It's disappointing when people don't attend. Clubs participating in this competition know the expectations we have of them: we don't make big demands, but the agreement is that they fulfil their obligations when we notify them of particular events. This matter will be raised at our next board meeting in November. If a sanction is considered appropriate, it will be a financial one."

Sarries chief executive Edward Griffiths said: "The decision that Steve Borthwick should attend a pre-arranged squad function was entirely the club’s decision, and nothing to do with Steve. Nobody can doubt the professionalism and commitment of perhaps the most professional and committed player in the country.

“The clash of dates was unfortunate but, at the eleventh hour, we rationally decided it was more important for our captain to take part in a long-arranged and highly significant squad event than to attend a press conference where he was not nominated to be formally interviewed and from which his non-attendance became the main story.

“Our total commitment to this year’s Heineken Cup competition is writ large across every billboard in London promoting our match against Leinster at Wembley on October 16th. It’s unlikely any club has ever embarked on such a marketing campaign for a group fixture.

“We look forward to resolving this matter with ERC, and playing our full part in a successful competition.”