Jamie George backs Saracens leadership after Totoa Auvaa dismissal

Jamie George has backed Saracens' leadership following the dismissal of academy forward Totoa Auvaa, with the club ending the 21-year-old Samoan's contract after an incident in St Albans. Speaking on Tuesday, George said technical director Brendan Venter and chief executive Ed Coetzee had addressed the situation and expressed confidence in their decisions, BBC Sport reported.

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Saracens confirmed on Monday that Auvaa had left with immediate effect. He had initially been removed from club duties while an internal investigation took place. In its statement, quoted by the BBC, Saracens said his behaviour did not meet the standards required of people representing the club, whether playing or away from rugby. It also referred to its responsibilities towards supporters, young people and partners.

Hertfordshire Police separately said they were investigating an altercation in St Peter's Street, St Albans, between 02:15 and 02:20 on Sunday, 11 October. According to the police statement carried by the BBC, a man in his twenties was allegedly approached by another man and punched in the face. Police said enquiries were continuing. That account described an allegation under investigation, rather than a concluded finding.

The dismissal followed an earlier nightclub incident involving Auvaa and England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June. Saracens had declined to punish Auvaa on that occasion and continued to support him. George had then acknowledged that his behaviour was unacceptable while pointing to his youth and the difficulties of being far from Samoa, according to BBC Sport's subsequent account.

Auvaa's disciplinary problems had also extended to matches. During a loan spell at Ampthill last season, he was sent off twice against Hartpury: for punching an opponent in November and for kicking a player in the head at a ruck in March. The BBC reported that his age, recent move to England and his father's illness in Samoa were presented in mitigation.

Auvaa had captained Samoa at under-20 and A-team level before his departure from Saracens. George's latest comments focused on trusting the club's response and allowing the squad to concentrate on rugby, contrasting with his earlier public support for helping the young forward continue his development.