Jamie George has criticised his Saracens team-mate Totoa Auvaa’s “unacceptable” behaviour during the nightclub incident which led to cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped by England but insisted he was “a good kid”.
England international George described the 21-year-old Samoan back-row as “a rabbit in the headlights in London” and said the academy player “doesn’t know right from wrong”.
Auvaa avoided formal sanctions over what took place at the Rex Rooms in Chelsea in the early hours of June 8, with Saracens calling the events “regrettable for all parties involved” and saying they remained “supportive” of their player.
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Ben Stokes says he was left ‘frustrated and disappointed’ by the fallout from nightclub saga which saw him axed from the team ahead of the second Test against New Zealand
Auvaa threw a punch at Atkinson, which missed and struck an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security guard.
The security guard required stitches but opted not to report the matter to the police.
“He’s a young kid who has only left Samoa once,” George was quoted as saying by The Times and The Telegraph.
“He is immature. He is a rabbit in the headlights in London. He’s a good kid, but he’s got it wrong. There’s no disputing that. But we need to make sure that we establish that sort of behaviour is unacceptable.
“There’s also a bit of me that thinks we’ve got to look after him because he doesn’t know right from wrong at the minute.
“We’ll look after him. We will make sure that he’s got role models around him.”
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Highlights from day two of the third Test between England and New Zealand
In the wake of the incident, England captain Stokes and team-mate Atkinson were stood down for the second Test against New Zealand pending the results of a disciplinary investigation into a breach of team protocols.
They were recalled for the ongoing third Test after an investigation by the independent Cricket Regulator found “insufficient evidence” against the pair.
A parallel investigation by the ECB also absolved Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing, albeit they were issued with written conduct warnings for contravening “specific contractual obligations”.
Saracens player Auvaa avoids punishment for nightclub incident
Saracens made a statement which included criticism of the ECB
The full statement from Prem Rugby club Saracens, which has been obtained by The Times, Guardian and others, includes criticism of the ECB.
It read: “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.
“While 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.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the matter, the club has concluded that no further action is required and now considers the matter closed.”
The ECB declined to comment on the Saracens statement.
