The sparks flew at Chelsea's Rex Rooms nightclub on June 8, when a row between Saracens players and England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson ignited a firestorm that's still smoldering today. Totoa Auvaa, the young Samoan back-rower, was at the centre of the maelstrom, throwing a punch that missed Atkinson but struck an ECB security guard, leaving him needing stitches.
Despite the serious injury sustained by the security guard – who mercifully didn't report the incident to the police – Saracens' internal review has concluded with no formal sanctions for Auvaa. Sources close to the club confirm that while he received a stern warning about his conduct, no disciplinary measures were imposed. The RFU, meanwhile, have opted not to launch their own investigation, deeming it an employment matter between the player and his club.
The ECB is none too pleased with Saracens' decision, given the strict discipline meted out to Stokes and Atkinson for breaching their central contracts. Both players were dropped from the second Test match against New Zealand and received formal written warnings – only for the ECB's subsequent investigation to clear them of any wrongdoing.
In a statement earlier this week, the ECB spelled it out: "No blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub... Stokes was not involved in the altercation and did not witness either incident. The evidence we've seen demonstrates that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks and didn't retaliate on either occasion."
The incident unfolded after Saracens players, celebrating their end-of-season, bumped into England cricketers, who were marking their first Test victory over New Zealand. What started as a friendly encounter turned ugly at the Rex Rooms – but Auvaa's still expected to be offered a senior contract by his club.
Source: The Guardian