Pat Lam outlines Bristol plan for Totoa Auvaa after Saracens dismissal

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has outlined his plans for Totoa Auvaa after signing the Samoan forward following his dismissal by Saracens. Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on Wednesday, Lam said the 21-year-old had begun training with his new club and could play in the Prem Rugby Cup once he has learned Bristol's systems.

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Bristol announced Auvaa's arrival on Monday. According to BBC Sport, Saracens dismissed him two weeks ago after a late-night incident in St Albans that police are investigating. The club had previously retained him after a nightclub altercation involving England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June. The BBC report did not give an outcome to the police investigation into the later incident.

Lam acknowledged the support Saracens had provided before deciding to end Auvaa's time at the club. He told the BBC that they had arranged an English teacher and that their captain, Maro Itoje, had acted as a mentor. Itoje remained in contact after the move, checking on Auvaa on Tuesday as the forward settled into life at Bristol. Lam said he understood Saracens' decision.

The Bristol boss said he had been asked whether he would offer Auvaa another opportunity and was willing to do so. He has not issued an ultimatum about future behaviour, but said the club sets out its expectations for players. Lam described mentoring and the rugby environment as important influences in his own life, while acknowledging that giving someone a further opportunity comes with no guarantee of success.

On the training field, Lam said Auvaa had made a positive early impression and that Bristol believed he had the potential to develop into an outstanding player. His senior experience at Saracens was limited to one appearance: 20 minutes in a Prem Rugby Cup match in September, according to the BBC.

Bristol have group matches against Sale and Bath in the same competition in November. Lam identified the cup as a possible route into the team for Auvaa, but did not confirm his selection. He said the forward first needed to learn Bristol's methods, with the speed of that adjustment determining how soon he could feature.