Saracens did unbelievable job with Auvaa - Lam

Saracens did everything they could for Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa before sacking him, according to his new director of rugby at Bristol Bears.

Auvaa, 21, was involved in a nightclub altercation with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June, though Sarries stood by him at the time.

He was, however, sacked two weeks ago following another late-night incident in St Albans, which police are investigating.

When Auvaa's signing was announced on Monday, Bristol boss Pat Lam said he believed in giving people second chances.

On Wednesday he told BBC Radio Bristol: "People make mistakes. I felt he will fit in well here.

"He's training this week and looks very impressive. There's no doubt that we believe he's someone that has ability to grow and develop as a really outstanding rugby player."

Lam revealed that England, British & Irish Lions and Saracens captain Maro Itoje had checked in on Auvaa this week as he started life with the Bears.

Lam said: "Saracens did an unbelievable job, they gave him the opportunity, they got him an English teacher, Maro itoje has been like a mentor to him.

"Maro got hold of him yesterday to check in and see how he's doing. They did as well as they could, the decision they made they felt was right and I understand that.

"I was asked if I would give him another opportunity and I am happy to do it."

Lam hopes he can be a positive influence on his fellow Samoan and said Auvaa had not been issued with any ultimatums about his future behaviour.

He said: "We highlight what we expect. Every player has some sort of past but the past is in the past and you have got to learn.

"My whole thing in life, with five kids at nearly 60, I look back and go, there were lots of ups and downs, but I am who I am because of the experiences I went through and then having the right people.

"Some of the decisions I made, rugby influenced a lot of it and people who mentored me and took me under their wing shaped me this way.

"I have benefited from it. There's a lot of stories that could go this way or the other way. The beauty of our great game is every good team has a good environment.

"We're all human, there's no guarantees, you're always going to be criticised for anything and praised for different things, you just have to keep pushing through.

"This is human nature. It depends who's giving you the opportunity. I see him no different to lots of people on this earth that have made mistakes."

Auvaa made one senior appearance for Saracens, playing 20 minutes of a Prem Rugby Cup match in September.

But Lam hinted that he might match that number for Bears very soon with two group games to come in the competition against Sale and Bath in November.

Lam added: "He'll look to feature in the Prem Cup. He's got to learn all of our systems and our ways. He's made a good start. It's about how quickly you can learn."