Saracens sack Auvaa after second violent incident
Saracens have terminated the contract of 21-year-old academy player Totoa Auvaa following a second incident involving violence, just months after his role in…
Saracens have sacked 21-year-old academy player Totoa Auvaa with immediate effect after he was involved in a violent incident in St Albans early on Sunday morning [1]. The Samoan forward, who stands 6ft 5in and weighs just under 20 stone, is accused of punching another man in the face between 2.15am and 2.20am on St Peter’s Street. Hertfordshire Police are investigating the altercation, which occurred shortly after Saracens’ victory over Bristol Bears.
This marks the second major incident in months involving Auvaa. In June, he was at the centre of a nightclub brawl in Chelsea with former England cricket captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson [1]. During that incident, Auvaa threw a punch at Atkinson that missed, striking an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard instead, who required stitches [4]. The ECB later found Stokes and Atkinson in breach of behavioural standards, leading to their suspension from England’s next Test match, while Auvaa faced no formal sanctions [3].
According to [4], Auvaa was not sanctioned by the Rugby Football Union or Saracens after the June incident, a claim that has not been confirmed by other sources. Despite initial support from the club, describing the June incident as "regrettable" but affirming their "supportive" stance, Saracens have now terminated Auvaa’s role. A club statement said his conduct "falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch" [2]. The club reiterated its commitment to upholding its values and said it would not be making further comment [1].
Former Saracens hooker Jamie George had previously expressed concern over Auvaa’s maturity, describing him as "a rabbit in the headlights in London" and in need of role models [1]. The player joined the club in August 2025 after impressing for feeder side Ampthill, with then-director of rugby Mark McCall praising his potential. He is now seeking new employment after being released.
The incident has reignited scrutiny over player conduct and club accountability, particularly following the fallout that led to Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket [3]. The story was first reported by Daily Mail and The Guardian.
Sources
This article is based on reporting by the outlets below.
- Daily Mail: Saracens sack academy star Totoa Auvaa, 21, for punching a man at 2.15am in St Albans - four months after his 'unprovoked attack' on Gus Atkinson during infamous Chelsea nightclub trip with Ben Stokes
- The Guardian: Saracens sack player who sparked Stokes captaincy crisis after latest incident
- BBC News: Saracens sack academy player Auvaa after latest incident
- The Independent: Saracens sack academy player involved in cricket nightclub fracas after another incident
