Bristol

I presume this is ok to post as it is a court judgement and a matter of public record - [www.tas-cas.org]

The result is also listed on World Rugby’s website

A 4 year ban - to August 2027



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 15/07/2026 12:03 by Earlsbris.

That reads as 'very expensive' perhaps punitively so, but if one was fighting for one's career perhaps understandable.

A sad end to the tale.

Well, that's all very unfortunate. And expensive.

Oh dear.

Yes, very sad, he will be missed. Seemed strange that he took such a risk in fighting the case if there wasn't a strong doubt in the legitimacy of the test result but perhaps, we will never know?

Available to play from August 2027.

Very,very sad. I find it incredibly hard to believe this was a deliberate act. The strain on him and his family must have been huge. I hope he gets his life back together.

Quote:

Slaphead
Available to play from August 2027.

Would be 34/35 by then.

What a shame, we’ve really missed him over the past 3 seasons, I guess we won’t see him again.

Indeed very sad. Section 216 worth concentrating upon for those that dont have time to plough througg the 65 pages.

I found 216 interesting as well.

If tested 9 times before, why would the 10th be particularly "stressful" as stated in the evidence?

Really want to believe him, but the evidence is quite compelling.

I also know that historically, roids were prevalent in top level rugby. The testing in English rugby is minimal - there was only 310 tests in 2025.

Even if you just take the Prem & Champ matchday squads, that's 12,512 opportunities to test. 310 is less than a statistically relevant sample size for a Standard Scenario.

Given, in my mind, we should be looking for a Highly Accurate sample size, we should be testing around 890 players assuming a 3% margin of error on tests (that is fouled samples not mistakes in testing).

World Rugby's numbers aren't statistically much better.

In summary, rugby doesn't test anywhere near the number of players it should to establish if there is a problem in the sport. Whether they want to find out is another question!

I took part in amateur rugby only with no testing but a fair chunk of the pack towards the end were on stuff. I think for reasons of vanity more than sporting improvement.

It is a tragic outcome but professional sports people know the rules. They know it is their responsibility what they put into their bodies. Certainly, in athletics and cycling huge controls over foods and supplements are in place by teams. Maybe rugby is more lax but i would be amazed by anyone taking any supplement that isnt sourced by the team.

Quote:

thorpebayexile
I took part in amateur rugby only with no testing but a fair chunk of the pack towards the end were on stuff. I think for reasons of vanity more than sporting improvement.
It is a tragic outcome but professional sports people know the rules. They know it is their responsibility what they put into their bodies. Certainly, in athletics and cycling huge controls over foods and supplements are in place by teams. Maybe rugby is more lax but i would be amazed by anyone taking any supplement that isnt sourced by the team.

The drugs at community level are ridiculous. The long term health consequences alone ought to make the RFU act. The same, even more so, applies to the WRU where use extends higher up the pyramid.

And I agree with Sit_Down, the drug testing in professional rugby is woeful. For whatever reason.

Vui has commented.

[www.bbc.co.uk]

"Over the past three years, since being provisionally suspended during the World Cup, I have been fighting to prove my innocence, so I am devastated by this outcome," Vui's statement said.

"I want to make it clear I have never knowingly used, and would never knowingly use, a prohibited substance. It goes against everything I stand for as a person and as an athlete.

"The low level of the substance found in my test is consistent with contamination, and I therefore believe the most likely explanation is the positive test was caused by a contaminated supplement. Sadly, I could not prove this to a sufficient degree of certainty.

"This has been a deeply challenging and unexpected experience that has effectively put my life on hold. One of the hardest realities is, despite years of investigation and proceedings, I may never know for certain how this situation arose.

"For now, my focus is on returning to rugby next year and on what comes next as I continue to reflect on this chapter."

I have to say, i would have him back in a heartbeat because i instictively believe him. But I'm probably in a minority.

I’ll join you in the minority EverO as I also believe him.
However, he may find it too difficult to return to the highest level, fingers crossed he proves me wrong, on the playing side that is?

Presumably, he is not allowed to train with a professional club until the ban expires. If he were able to get match fit I would take him in twelve months time. Athough in in his mid thirties his body will have had four years off so he might well have a couple of years left.
Just so sad.

Quote:

EverOptimistic
Vui has commented.
[www.bbc.co.uk]

"Over the past three years, since being provisionally suspended during the World Cup, I have been fighting to prove my innocence, so I am devastated by this outcome," Vui's statement said.

"I want to make it clear I have never knowingly used, and would never knowingly use, a prohibited substance. It goes against everything I stand for as a person and as an athlete.

"The low level of the substance found in my test is consistent with contamination, and I therefore believe the most likely explanation is the positive test was caused by a contaminated supplement. Sadly, I could not prove this to a sufficient degree of certainty.

"This has been a deeply challenging and unexpected experience that has effectively put my life on hold. One of the hardest realities is, despite years of investigation and proceedings, I may never know for certain how this situation arose.

"For now, my focus is on returning to rugby next year and on what comes next as I continue to reflect on this chapter."

I have to say, i would have him back in a heartbeat because i instictively believe him. But I'm probably in a minority.

judging the likes and comments on his Instagram post, I think it's a shared sentiment that people do believe in him, a lot of the Bristol current and ex players all acknowledging it. People much closer to him than any of us

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but wouldn't sign him because he won't have played for 4 years and will be 34+ by the time his ban is up.

I'd argue there's way more rugby reasons not to sign him than this judgement and punishment.

Quote:

Sit_Down
I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but wouldn't sign him because he won't have played for 4 years and will be 34+ by the time his ban is up.
I'd argue there's way more rugby reasons not to sign him than this judgement and punishment.

Equally if you feel that he's been hard done by what better place to take him on and support him than his former club? I hope it works out for him somehow as he seems like a very nice bloke.

Another ‘yes please’ to a shot at redemption in blue and white hoops.

After the Lance Armstrong case I lost all faith in sport and doping and believe that they are all at it. Stories like Mo Farah forgetting a drugs test while massively improving his performance and working with a proven drugs cheat coach doesn’t sit well with me. I do instinctively believe Vui though - a low level of PED and what would’ve been a self funded financially ruinous CAS appeal surely would’ve been unnecessary if he had known that he was doping, but you never know. I’m sure doping in rugby does happen more than you think and I am aware of the persistent rumours around state sponsored doping in South Africa for example, but as a game of skill alongside power, it doesn’t give you the same advantage as it does in a pure endurance sport like running or cycling

I definitely haven’t back on a 1+1 next year



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 16/07/2026 19:58 by Earlsbris.