Saracens sack player whose punch sparked Stokes crisis

Auvaa landed a punch, aimed at Gus Atkinson, on a member of England's security staff in the Rex Rooms nightclub in Chelsea in June. The altercation prompted the ECB to suspend Atkinson and Test captain Ben Stokes - who was also present at the nightclub - for England's second Test against New Zealand while their conduct was investigated.

The pair were cleared by the independent Cricket Regulator and ECB's own investigation said that while they had "breached specific contractual obligations", no blame could be attached to either player for the violent conduct. Stokes has repeatedly intimated that the saga - and the ECB's handling of it - contributed to his sudden retirement at the end of that month.

Saracens publicly stood by Auvaa, 21, at the time, and appeared to criticise the ECB's handling of the incident by hinting that the board had rushed through its investigation. Jamie George, the England international and Auvaa's Saracens team-mate, described him as "a rabbit in the headlights" who "doesn't know right from wrong at the minute".

However, Auvaa has now been dismissed by the club shortly after reports that he punched a man in St Albans this weekend. Saracens said on Monday morning that they would carry out "a thorough internal investigation" into an unnamed academy player, then confirmed later that day that Auvaa had "left the club with immediate effect".

The club said in a statement: "Saracens can confirm that Totoa Auvaa, a member of the senior men's academy, has left the club with immediate effect. Following an incident this weekend, the club has determined that his conduct falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch.

"We take our responsibilities to our supporters, young people and partners seriously and we remain committed to upholding the standards of our conduct expected across the club. We will not be making any further comment on this matter."