Totoa Auvaa joins Bristol Bears as Pat Lam offers second chance after Saracens dismissal

Bristol Bears have signed Totoa Auvaa two weeks after his dismissal by Saracens, with director of rugby Pat Lam saying the young forward deserves an opportunity to learn from his mistakes.

The 21-year-old Samoan has already begun training with Bristol as the club prepare to face Leicester Tigers, according to Planet Rugby.

Bristol announced the signing on Monday, with Lam explaining that Auvaa’s representative had approached him about giving the player a second chance.

Pat Lam explains Bristol’s decision to sign Totoa Auvaa

Lam said he had spent time with Auvaa before deciding Bristol could provide an environment in which he could develop both on and off the field.

“His agent reached out to me, to see if I would be willing to help him and give him a second chance,” Lam said.

“I’ve always believed that young people deserve the opportunity to learn from those experiences, grow and become better people.”

The former Samoa captain described Auvaa as a talented young forward who had struggled after moving to England.

“Totoa is a big, physical young man with enormous potential, who unfortunately has made some mistakes since arriving from a small village in Samoa to the massive city of London,” he said.

Lam added that Bristol could provide “the mentorship, guidance, support and structure” to help Auvaa succeed as a rugby player and as a person his family in Samoa would be proud of.

Saracens departure followed October incident

Saracens confirmed Auvaa’s immediate departure on 12 October. In their official statement, the club said his conduct following an incident that weekend had fallen below the standards expected of its representatives.

The statement identified Auvaa as a member of the Senior Men’s Academy but did not describe what had happened.

In a statement published by Sky Sports on 13 October, Hertfordshire Police said officers were investigating an altercation between 2.15am and 2.20am on Sunday 11 October in St Peter’s Street, St Albans.

Police said it was alleged that a man in his twenties had been approached by another man and punched in the face. The force said enquiries were ongoing at the time of that statement.

The Times reported on Monday that Auvaa was not facing criminal charges over the St Albans incident. BBC Sport, via Yahoo Sports, described it on Tuesday as an incident police were investigating.

Earlier nightclub incident and Saracens review

Auvaa had previously been involved in a separate incident at a London nightclub in June. Sky Sports reported that a punch aimed at England bowler Gus Atkinson missed and struck a member of ECB security staff.

The ECB said Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate. It also said Ben Stokes was not involved in, and did not witness, any altercations.

Saracens took no further action following their review of the June incident and said they remained supportive of Auvaa.

Totoa Auvaa begins training with Bristol

Planet Rugby reports that Totoa Auvaa has started training with the Bears ahead of their Premiership meeting with Leicester.

Auvaa also gained experience playing on loan at Ampthill during his time with Saracens.

Bristol approach the Leicester fixture after beating Exeter 20-7 at Ashton Gate, a result covered in our Premiership weekend round-up.

Totoa Auvaa: your questions answered

Who has Totoa Auvaa signed for?

Auvaa has joined Bristol Bears following his departure from Saracens and has begun training with his new club.

Why did Saracens dismiss Totoa Auvaa?

Saracens said his conduct following an incident had fallen below the standards expected of those representing the club. They confirmed his immediate departure on 12 October.

How old is Totoa Auvaa?

Auvaa is 21. He is a Samoan forward who was a member of Saracens’ Senior Men’s Academy.