Lam says Saracens "did unbelievable job" with Auvaa

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol on Wednesday that Saracens "did an unbelievable job" with Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa after the 21-year-old signed for Bristol following his dismissal by Saracens earlier this month.

Auvaa's signing was announced on Monday; the forward had been let go by Saracens after a separate late-night incident in St Albans two weeks ago that is being investigated by police. He had previously been involved in a nightclub altercation with England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in June, an incident after which Saracens initially stood by him. Auvaa made one senior appearance for Saracens, playing 20 minutes of a Prem Rugby Cup match in September.

Lam said he believed in giving people second chances, telling BBC Radio Bristol: "People make mistakes. I felt he will fit in well here." He added that Auvaa "is training this week and looks very impressive" and that the club believed the player had "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 since he joined the Bears, saying Saracens "gave him the opportunity, they got him an English teacher, Maro itoje has been like a mentor to him." Lam added: "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."

When asked whether he would offer Auvaa another chance, Lam said: "I was asked if I would give him another opportunity and I am happy to do it." He also set out the club's approach to player conduct, saying: "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."

Lam spoke about his own life experience as a basis for offering support, saying: "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." He added: "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."

On Auvaa's immediate playing prospects, Lam indicated the forward could feature again soon in the Prem Rugby Cup, with two group games to come in the competition against Sale and Bath in November. "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," Lam said.