Player in Stokes and Atkinson altercation joins Bristol after Saracens sacking
Bristol Bears have signed Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa, two weeks after Saracens sacked him following a further incident in St Albans. Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said the club would offer the 21-year-old support and a chance to learn and develop; the move matters because it gives him a route back into professional rugby while police enquiries continue.
Auvaa was previously involved in a June nightclub altercation with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, and had received two red cards for violent conduct while on loan at Ampthill. Hertfordshire Police say they are investigating an alleged assault in St Albans on 11 October. He made one appearance for Saracens this season, playing 20 minutes in a Premiership Rugby Cup match.
In short
- Bristol have signed Totoa Auvaa after Saracens sacked him.
- Police are investigating an alleged assault in St Albans.
- The 21-year-old has a record of disciplinary incidents.
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The case for
Bristol can reasonably argue that a young player should have a chance to learn from past conduct and rebuild his career, particularly if the club can provide clear support and accountability. Signing him before police enquiries conclude may also be seen as a way to offer a structured environment while respecting that an allegation is not a finding of guilt.
The case against
Bristol can reasonably be questioned for offering a professional platform so soon after Saracens dismissed Auvaa following another incident, against a background of prior red cards and a separate altercation. The club may be seen as understating the seriousness of repeated concerns, and the timing could raise questions about whether its safeguards and standards are sufficient while police enquiries continue.
Explained simply
Totoa Auvaa is a 21-year-old Samoan rugby forward, a player who works mainly in the scrum and close-contact parts of the game. He has played for Saracens and, while on loan to Ampthill, received two red cards for violent conduct.
Auvaa was also involved in a nightclub altercation in June with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. Police are investigating an alleged assault in St Albans on 11 October; an investigation does not establish that an offence has been proven.
Bristol Bears are a professional rugby union club led by director of rugby Pat Lam. The move offers Auvaa a way to continue his career, while the police investigation remains ongoing.