Former Bristol Bears lock Chris Vui says he is "devastated" that his four-year doping ban has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Vui, 33, tested positive in August 2023 for 19-norandrosterone, an indicator for the steroid nandrolone, before that year's Rugby World Cup where he represented Samoa.

He was immediately suspended by World Rugby but has always denied knowingly using the banned substance. In a statement, Vui said the low level found is consistent with contamination from a supplement, though he could not prove this to sufficient certainty. He also raised concerns about the B sample testing process in a Utah laboratory, where his representative was absent during certain stages.

CAS acknowledged "troubling" laboratory procedures but ruled the doctor's absence did not invalidate the B sample results. Vui's contract with Bristol, signed in February 2022 to run until 2026, was annulled in September 2023. He has been unable to play professionally since, despite appeals. The ban was backdated to account for notification delays of 57 days after sample collection.