Stevens admits drug use following positive test
Stevens admitted using drugs but insist they were not performance enhancing
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Tuesday, 20, Jan 2009 10:59
England and Bath forward Matt Stevens has been suspended from all competition for failing a random drugs test.
The 26-year-old, who has 32 caps for England, has been removed from Martin Johnson's squad from their forthcoming training camp in Portugal.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) released a statement which confirmed that Stevens had provided a positive urine sample.
"The Rugby Football Union has been made aware by European Rugby Cup (Ltd) of the positive doping test given by Matt Stevens following the Heineken Cup match against Glasgow Warriors in December 2008," the statement said.
"The procedure for potential doping offences is clearly laid out in the ERC Regulations and as such the player is immediately provisionally suspended from all competition.
"Matt has been removed from the England Elite Player Squad and will not travel to the training camp in Portugal on Sunday or be involved in the squad until the resolution of the case when a further decision on his inclusion in the England squad will be made.
"A decision on a replacement for Matt in the EPS squad is being considered by England Team Manager Martin Johnson and an announcement will be made in due course."
An emotional Stevens admitted taking a substance which he says is ruining his life during a television interview, but insists that it was not a performance enhancing drug.
"I was tested for a prohibited substance," Stevens told Sky Sports News.
"It was not a performance-enhancing substance: you can make of that what you will.
"It is a very serious substance and something that over a period of time I have realised that I have an issue with.
"It is something that has basically ruined my life up until this point.
"It is pretty distressing talking about this when I think how much time and effort so many people have put into my career.
"I have thrown it away through irresponsible behaviour. Like any drug problem, you do not know it is happening and then it mounts up.
"Before you know it, you are sitting there with an illness."
"It started off a couple of times after big nights out with friends. It was not a big deal, but the problem with drugs is that it quickly becomes a big deal.
"I owe it to everyone to admit that and I want to say I am truly very sorry.
"I had a few counselling sessions before the drugs test result came out but I was not serious about it.
"I had a session with a counsellor today and I am going to a meeting tonight.
"This is something I am serious about changing. I want to change my life and get back the faith that people had in me."