Player in Stokes and Atkinson altercation joins Bristol after Saracens sacking

Published1 hour ago

Bristol Bears have signed Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa, two weeks after he was sacked by Saracens.

Auvaa, 21, was involved in a nightclub altercation with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June.

He was let go by Sarries following another incident in St Albans, which police are investigating.

"His agent reached out to me to see if I would be willing to help him and give him a second chance," Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam said.

"I've always believed that young people deserve the opportunity to learn from those experiences, grow and become better people."

Lam, himself a former Samoan international, told Bristol's website, external he believed the club could help provide support to Auvaa and was the right place for him to develop on and off the field.

"Totoa is a big, physical young man with enormous potential, who unfortunately has made some mistakes since arriving from a small village in Samoa to the massive city of London.

"Having spent time with Totoa, I feel confident that we can provide him with the mentorship, guidance, support and structure to give him the best possible opportunity to succeed, not just as a rugby player, but as a person - someone his parents and family all the way back in Samoa will be proud of."

Two punch-ups, two red cards, no chances left - Saracens sack Auvaa

• Published13 October

Two punch-ups, two red cards, no chances left - Saracens sack Auvaa

Published13 October

Saracens sack academy player Auvaa after latest incident

• Published12 October

Saracens sack academy player Auvaa after latest incident

Published12 October

Auvaa's disciplinary issues have not been restricted to late-night altercations.

While on loan at Championship club Ampthill last season, he was sent off twice for violent conduct - once, punching an opposition player in the face in the aftermath of conceding a try, and, in another match, kicking someone in the head at the bottom of a ruck.

Auvaa's youth, recent arrival in England and the stress of supporting his father through illness back home in Samoa were put forward in mitigation.

When he was involved in the nightclub incident with Atkinson and Stokes, in which a member of England's security staff was left bloodied after being struck by Auvaa, Saracens said they would stand by him.

However, after the incident in St Albans, the club said, external his conduct had fallen "short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch" and he was sacked.

A statement issued by Hertfordshire Police on the incident said: "Police are investigating an altercation which occurred between 0215 and 0220 on Sunday [11 October] in St Peter's Street, St Albans.

"It is alleged a man aged in his twenties was approached by another man who then punched him to the face. Enquiries are ongoing at this time."

Auvaa made one appearance for Saracens, playing 20 minutes of a Prem Rugby Cup match in September.

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