Saracens terminates contract of academy player Totoa Auvaa following St Albans incident
Saracens has officially terminated the contract of academy player Totoa Auvaa with immediate effect. The club stated that the decision followed an incident in St Albans, and that Auvaa's conduct did not meet the standards expected of those representing the organization. Auvaa, a Samoan forward, had previously been linked to a June nightclub incident involving England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
Key points
- Saracens sacked academy player Totoa Auvaa with immediate effect.
- The club cited conduct falling short of expected standards following an incident in St Albans.
- Auvaa was previously involved in a June nightclub incident with cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
- The ECB previously cleared Stokes and Atkinson of violent conduct regarding the June incident.
What happened
Saracens has terminated the contract of academy player Totoa Auvaa following an incident in St Albans. The club had initially stood the forward down from all duties while conducting an investigation into the matter.
In a statement, Saracens noted that the player's conduct fell short of the standards expected of everyone representing the club, both on and off the pitch. The organization emphasized its commitment to upholding these standards for its partners, supporters, and young people.
Team and player details
Totoa Auvaa is a Samoan back row forward who was part of the Saracens academy. His departure follows a separate incident in June at a London nightclub, where he was involved in an altercation that left a member of England's security staff injured.
An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disciplinary hearing previously investigated the June incident, which involved England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson. While the hearing found that Stokes and Atkinson breached contractual obligations, it determined they were blameless for the violent conduct that occurred.
Why it matters
The termination highlights the strict disciplinary standards professional rugby clubs maintain regarding player conduct, particularly following high-profile associations with previous incidents.
What we know
- Saracens terminated Totoa Auvaa's contract following an incident in St Albans.
- Totoa Auvaa was involved in a June nightclub incident involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson.
- The ECB disciplinary hearing found Stokes and Atkinson blameless for violent conduct in the June incident.
What remains unclear
- Specific details regarding the nature of the St Albans incident remain limited beyond the club's statement on conduct standards.
