SARACENS SACK AUVAA OVER NEW INCIDENT MONTHS AFTER ATKINSON PUNCH

Saracens have sacked academy player Totoa Auvaa following an incident over the weekend, the club has confirmed. In a statement, the north London club said his conduct "falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch." Saracens said it takes its responsibilities to supporters, young people and partners seriously and remains committed to upholding standards of conduct across the club. One report said Auvaa punched a man at 2.15am in St Albans, though Saracens' statement did not detail the nature of the incident. The club said it would not be making any further comment on the matter.

Auvaa, 21, had already been at the centre of controversy after an altercation at a Chelsea nightclub four months earlier, during which he threw a punch at England teammate Gus Atkinson. One report described the earlier altercation as an "unprovoked attack" on Atkinson. That nightclub incident occurred during a trip involving Ben Stokes and was followed by Stokes standing down from the England Test captaincy, which the Guardian described as a "captaincy crisis" linked to the fallout. Auvaa had been part of Saracens' academy setup prior to his dismissal.

Saracens have not released further details of the weekend incident that led to the sacking, and said they would not comment further. The club's statement focused on conduct standards rather than specifics of what occurred. No further action regarding Auvaa or additional statements from Saracens, Stokes or Atkinson were confirmed in the reports.