Saracens Cut Ties With Totoa Auvaa After Fresh Incident

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-13

Saracens have parted ways with rugby player Totoa Auvaa, the man whose nightclub punch in June set off a chain of events that shook English cricket. The club confirmed on Monday that the 21-year-old has left with immediate effect following an investigation into a separate incident in St Albans. ### Why Saracens Let Auvaa Go Saracens announced that Auvaa, a member of the senior men's academy, had left the club after an incident over the weekend. The club said his conduct fell short of the standards it expects from everyone who represents it, on and off the pitch. They didn't name him when they first announced an internal investigation on Monday morning, but later confirmed his departure and said they would make no further comment. Hertfordshire Police are investigating an alleged assault in St Peter's Street, St Albans, between 2:15 am and 2:20 am on Sunday, October 11. Police said a man in his 20s was approached by another man and punched in the face. Inquiries are continuing, and the police statement did not name any suspect. Auvaa, a Samoan forward, made his senior debut for Saracens off the bench in the Prem Rugby Cup win over Northampton last month. The Guardian reported that he had earlier received a final warning over other alcohol-related incidents. ### The June Nightclub Incident Involving Stokes and Atkinson The events trace back to the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea, where Auvaa threw a punch aimed at England bowler Gus Atkinson. The punch missed Atkinson and struck a member of England's security staff, who needed stitches but did not report the matter to the police. The ECB suspended Atkinson and Test captain Ben Stokes, who was also at the club, for the second Test against New Zealand while it looked into their conduct. Both players returned for the third Test. England lost the series 2-1. The independent Cricket Regulator cleared the pair. The ECB's own investigation found that they had breached specific contractual obligations but concluded that neither player carried blame for the violent conduct. ### Stokes' Retirement and the Dispute Between Saracens and the ECB Stokes retired from international cricket on the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test, and he has said repeatedly that the episode and the ECB's handling of it contributed to that decision. He also stepped down as England Test captain. Saracens publicly backed Auvaa at the time and took no disciplinary action against him. The club described the events as regrettable but said it supported its player. It also criticised the ECB for releasing a statement that referred to its employees as victims of "unprovoked attacks" without consulting the club first. England and Saracens forward Jamie George described Auvaa as "a rabbit in the headlights" who did not know right from wrong at that point. Reports said the ECB was puzzled that Auvaa faced no action while Stokes and Atkinson missed a Test despite being blameless. Saracens ended its statement on Monday by saying it remains committed to upholding standards of conduct across the club. > "Sometimes the fallout from one moment can reshape careers and relationships in ways no one saw coming." For more cricket news and updates, follow JeetWin Blog.