Saracens’ Totoa Auvaa escapes sanction over club brawl with cricketers Stokes and Atkinson

London: Saracens academy player Totoa Auvaa has avoided formal disciplinary over the nightclub incident which led to England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped from Test duty, the Prem rugby club announced Thursday.

Auvaa, a 21-year-old Samoan back-row, threw a punch at paceman Atkinson in the early hours of June 8, which missed and struck an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard.

The guard required stitches but opted not to report the matter to the police.

England captain Stokes and team-mate Atkinson, celebrating victory in the series opener against New Zealand at Lord's, were subsequently stood down from the second Test at the Oval -- a match the tourists won by a mammoth 253 runs.

But they have both been recalled for the ongoing third and deciding Test in Nottingham after an investigation by the independent Cricket Regulator found "insufficient evidence" against the pair.

A parallel investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board also cleared Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing, although they were issued with written conduct warnings for contravening "specific contractual obligations".

Saracens, after concluding their own separate review, have decided Auvaa will face "no further action".

Also read: ‘Punished for winning..’: German coach Julian Nagelsmann tears into ‘unfair’ FIFA World Cup format 

"Whilst the events that occurred in the early hours of Monday, 8 June 2026 are regrettable for all parties involved, the club remains supportive of the player concerned," said a statement from London club Saracens.

"Having thoroughly reviewed the matter, the club has concluded that no further action is required and now considers the matter closed."

An ECB statement released earlier this week said Atkinson has been the subject of "unprovoked attacks" in the Rex Rooms in Chelsea.

Saracens, meanwhile remain unhappy they were not given further to conclude their own inquiries before the ECB announced its findings.

Their statement added: "Saracens is satisfied that its independent review was conducted thoroughly and in accordance with the club's internal procedures and standards.

"The ECB contacted the club as part of its review process. Saracens made clear that it wished to complete its own internal investigation before reaching any conclusions.

"The ECB subsequently concluded its process and issued its statement without any input from Saracens." (AFP)