Bristol Bears have confirmed the signing of 21‑year‑old Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa, bringing the young player into their squad two weeks after he was dismissed by Saracens. Auvaa had been involved in an altercation with team‑mates Stokes and Atkinson that led to his sacking from the north London club.
Immediate move
The Bears described the addition as a boost to their forward options, signing Auvaa following his exit from Saracens. The club has not released detailed terms of the agreement, but the acquisition returns the player to Premiership rugby shortly after his departure from Saracens.
Background to the switch
Auvaa, a 21‑year‑old Samoan, left Saracens in the wake of the incident with Stokes and Atkinson that prompted disciplinary action at the Premiership club. The timing of his arrival at Bristol comes amid ongoing squad adjustments across the league as clubs manage form, injuries and off‑field matters.
Next steps for player and club
Bristol will now integrate Auvaa into their training programme as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, offering the forward an immediate pathway back into top‑flight competition. The move provides Auvaa with a fresh opportunity to continue his professional development in Premiership Rugby.
Both clubs have handled the personnel change as part of routine squad management; Bristol have moved quickly to strengthen their pack by securing the services of the young Samoan forward.