A Saracens Men’s Senior Academy player has been stood down from all club duties with immediate effect following an off-field incident in St Albans on the evening of Saturday 10 October.
The Gallagher Premiership club confirmed on Monday that it had launched a thorough internal investigation to establish the facts, and said it would make no further comment until the investigation has concluded.
“Saracens is aware of an incident involving a member of the Men’s Senior Academy in St Albans on the evening of Saturday 10 October,” read the statement.
“The player involved has been stood down from all club duties with immediate effect while the club carries out a thorough internal investigation to establish the facts.”
No further details released
“Saracens expects the highest standards of conduct from everyone representing the club. We will make no further comment until the investigation has concluded.”
As yet, no further details of the nature of the incident have been made public.
Second academy player in hot water this year
This is the second time this year a Saracens academy player has been in hot water, after forward Totoa Auvaa escaped punishment following a nightclub incident with then England cricket captain Ben Stokes and bowler Gus Atkinson.
Auvaa avoided formal punishment over the incident at a London nightclub that saw both Stokes and Atkinson stood down from this summer’s second Test against New Zealand.
In the early hours of June 8, the 21-year-old back-row aimed a punch at Atkinson that missed and struck a member of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) security staff. The security guard required stitches.
At the time, Saracens carried out their own investigation, standing by Auvaa while also criticising the ECB for not involving them in the process.
Previous investigation concluded with no further action
A disciplinary hearing by the ECB found Stokes and Atkinson to have “breached specific contractual obligations that require England players to at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket”.
However they added that “no blame should be attached to the players for violent conduct at the nightclub.” A separate inquiry by the Cricket Regulator found there was no case to answer.
“Whilst the events that occurred in the early hours of Monday, 8 June 2026 are regrettable for all parties involved, the club remains supportive of the player concerned,” said Saracens in June.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the matter, the club has concluded that no further action is required and now considers the matter closed.”
The ECB contacted the club as part of its review process. Saracens made clear that it wished to complete its own internal investigation before reaching any conclusions.
“The ECB subsequently concluded its process and issued its statement without any input from Saracens.”
