Saracens sack academy player involved in cricket nightclub fracas after another incident

Saracens have released a member of the senior men’s academy who was involved in a fracas with the England cricket team this summer after another incident.

Totoa Auvaa was involved in an altercation with members of the Test side at a nightclub in London this June, throwing a punch at Gus Atkinson but missing and instead striking an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard.

The guard required stitches but did not report the incident to police, while Auvaa avoided formal sanctions from Saracens or the Rugby Football Union.

At the time Saracens described the incident as “regrettable” but said “the club remains ­supportive of the player concerned”.

However, 21-year-old Auvaa has since been released by the Prem club following another incident, with Saracens saying his “conduct falls short of the standards expected”.

A Saracens statement released on Monday read: “Saracens can confirm that Totoa Auvaa, a member of the Senior Men’s Academy, has left the club with immediate effect.

“Following an incident this weekend, the club has determined that his conduct falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch.

“We take our responsibilities to our supporters, young people and partners seriously and we remain committed to upholding the standards of our conduct expected across the club.

“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

Auvaa made his senior debut for the club as a substitute in their Prem Rugby Cup victory over Northampton last month. He had previously captained both the Samoa A and Samoa Under-20s sides.