Totoa Auvaa, the Saracens academy player who sparked the Ben Stokes captaincy crisis by throwing a punch at England teammate Gus Atkinson, will not face formal disciplinary action from his club or the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The 21-year-old Samoan back-row's punch missed Atkinson and struck an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard, who required stitches but chose not to report the matter to the police.
Internal review concludes without sanction
Saracens pledged to review the incident after learning of the flare-up in a Chelsea nightclub on 8 June. A source with knowledge of the investigation said Auvaa received a stern talking-to and a warning about his conduct, but the former Samoa Under-20 captain has not been formally sanctioned. Saracens confirmed to the Guardian that their review has concluded but declined to provide further details.
The RFU has not launched an investigation, with sources indicating they regard it as an employment matter between the player and his club. This decision has left the ECB bemused, given that Stokes and Atkinson were both dropped from the second Test against New Zealand before being cleared of wrongdoing.
ECB clears Stokes and Atkinson
In a statement earlier this week, the ECB confirmed that Stokes and Atkinson would return for the third Test, which began on Thursday. The statement referred to “unprovoked attacks” and multiple incidents in the Rex Rooms nightclub. Both players received formal written warnings for breaching the terms of their central contracts, but the ECB emphasized that “no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct.” Stokes was not involved in the altercation, and Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and did not retaliate.
Nightclub altercation details
The incident occurred after Saracens players, celebrating their end-of-season party at the White Horse pub in Chelsea, encountered England players celebrating their first Test win over New Zealand at Lord's. While some players reportedly got on well, an altercation broke out at the Rex Rooms later that evening after most England players had returned to their hotel.
Auvaa, who has not played a senior game for Saracens and spent last season on loan at Championship side Ampthill, is highly rated at the club and expected to receive a senior contract. Saracens had previously stated they were establishing the full facts and would address the matter appropriately.
