Guinness Prem - Vainikolo released on bail

Eurosport - Wed, 29 Oct 11:08:00 2008

England and Gloucester wing Lesley Vainikolo has been arrested and released on bail after a man suffered head injuries in a street fight.

Lesley Vainikolo - England - 0

Vainikolo (pictured), nicknamed The Volcano, was questioned after an incident in Bath, Somerset, at 02:00 on Saturday.

Vainikolo, 29, who plays for Gloucester, was held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, but not charged.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with head injuries originally thought to be 'critical' but has since been released, police revealed on Tuesday.

The Tongan-born star, who made his England debut in this year's Six Nations championship, is now on bail.

A Gloucester spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident at which Lesley Vainikolo was present on Saturday night.

"We understand the police investigation is ongoing and have no comment to make at this stage.''

An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said: "At 2am on Sunday we were called to reports of an assault in Pierrepont Street, Bath. A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with injuries thought to be critical.

"Subsequently it was found they were not as serious as first thought and he was discharged. A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and has now been released on police bail.''

The spokesman said there was 'nothing to suggest' the injured man was a rugby player.

Former Bradford Bulls rugby league player Vainikolo has won five England caps since switching codes, after becoming eligible through his residency here.

SportingLife / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. Any idiot who would hang around and not run like a bat­ out of hell when Vainikolo is in a bitter mood deserves­ a smack. But I dont think it was anything intentional­ and the end of the day I dont think this is going to­ come to anything most rugby players I have met are good­ guys and wouldn't hurt a fly (off the pitch). Lets­ leave the crappy violence to the football players and­ fans and try and not bring this sort of @#$% into the­ dignified world of Rugby Union.

    From James, on Thu 30 Oct 1:05AM

  2. Hmmm could this have any repercussions for England

    From Callum, on Thu 30 Oct 12:49AM

  3. Big Les is a gentle giant - I imagine that IF he was­ involved it must have been with serious prevarication­ from the othe party

    From nikdevil, on Wed 29 Oct 12:45PM

  4. All these incidents seem to happen in the "early­ hours " of the morning. Perhaps the clubs should­ put a curfew on their players, because these incidents­ all seem to be alchol related. They look like men so­ perhaps they should act like responsible men.

    From neathguard8 skewen, on Wed 29 Oct 9:30AM

  5. Unfortunately when these things come to surface, they­ very often end up real. This guy has just missed a­ chance to be the Lomu of England, but instead he has­ big body and small brain. Idiot!

    From Half A Brain, on Wed 29 Oct 6:40AM

  6. theres usually 2 sides to every story, i wouldnt like a­ thump from the lad !

    From barryryan1981, on Wed 29 Oct 12:10AM

  7. I hope he hasnt brought more shame to Rugry like the­ New Zeland icident..

    From tulip, on Tue 28 Oct 5:45PM

  8. I hope for World rugby that this is not true we have­ enough trouble with fans at football matches, i will­ alter that a little for English sport let knocks be on­ the pitch if it's football rugby whatever the­ sport.

    From music1isme, on Tue 28 Oct 2:14PM
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