Pat Lam backs Auvaa at Bristol and praises Saracens support

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has defended giving Totoa Auvaa another opportunity after the Samoan forward was sacked by Saracens, while praising the support provided by his former club. Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol on Wednesday, Lam said the 21-year-old had begun training with the Bears and had made an impressive early impression.

Watch the highlights:

Bristol announced Auvaa’s signing on Monday, when Lam spoke about his belief in second chances. Saracens had dismissed the player two weeks earlier following a late-night incident in St Albans that police are investigating, BBC Sport reported. Auvaa had also been involved in a nightclub altercation with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June, after which Saracens initially continued to support him.

Lam said Saracens had given Auvaa an opportunity and arranged an English teacher for him, while captain Maro Itoje had acted as a mentor. According to Lam, Itoje contacted the forward on Tuesday to ask how he was settling in at Bristol. Lam said he understood Saracens’ decision to end Auvaa’s time at the club and believed they had done everything they could for him.

The Bristol boss said Auvaa had not been given an ultimatum over his future behaviour. Instead, Lam described setting out the club’s expectations and emphasising the need to learn from past experiences. He drew on the influence of rugby and mentors in his own life when explaining his decision, while acknowledging that offering someone an opportunity did not come with guarantees.

On the field, Lam said he believed Auvaa had the ability to develop into an outstanding player. The forward’s senior experience at Saracens amounted to one appearance: a 20-minute outing in a Prem Rugby Cup match in September. His move to Bristol therefore comes with only limited senior playing time behind him, alongside the work of adapting to a different team.

Lam indicated that the Prem Rugby Cup could provide Auvaa’s first opportunity with the Bears, who have group matches against Sale and Bath in November. He did not confirm a debut date. Auvaa must learn Bristol’s systems and methods, Lam said, with the speed of that adjustment helping determine when he can feature.