Saracens sack Auvaa after second incident; connected to Stokes cricket crisis

Saracens have dismissed Totoa Auvaa, a 21-year-old Samoan forward, with immediate effect following an incident in St Albans over the weekend of 11–12 October 2026. This marks the second disciplinary action against Auvaa within four months, following his involvement in a June nightclub altercation that triggered England cricket captain Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket.

In June, Auvaa threw a punch at England pace bowler Gus Atkinson at the Rex Rooms nightclub in London's Chelsea district in the early hours of Monday, 8 June. The punch missed Atkinson but struck an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard, who required stitches. Neither Auvaa nor Saracens reported the incident to police. An ECB disciplinary hearing cleared Stokes and Atkinson of violent conduct, finding them blameless victims of "unprovoked attacks," but issued them formal written warnings for breaching their central contracts by breaking a midnight curfew. Both players were stood down from England's second Test against New Zealand, which England lost. Stokes returned for the deciding third Test, during which he announced his retirement from international cricket. He cited his dissatisfaction with the ECB's handling of the incident as a contributing factor. Atkinson has remained in the England set-up and has been awarded another central contract.

Following the June incident, Saracens gave Auvaa a final warning due to prior alcohol-related conduct issues but did not pursue disciplinary action. The club called the events "regrettable" while describing itself as "supportive" of the player. The ECB expressed surprise that Auvaa faced no consequences despite Stokes and Atkinson being dropped from a Test match.

The October incident in St Albans has now led to Auvaa's dismissal. Hertfordshire Police confirmed they are investigating an alleged assault that occurred between 2:15 and 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, 11 October, in which a man in his 20s was punched in the face. Saracens stated in their termination notice that Auvaa's conduct "falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch" and reaffirmed the club's commitment to upholding standards of behaviour, integrity, and accountability.