Bath Dismayed by Stevens admission

Bath say they feel “let down” by their England star Matt Stevens following his public confession that he failed a drugs test.

Stevens admitted he was struggling with “a very serious substance”, and he is currently suspended by his club, who are preparing for a Heineken Cup clash against French giants Toulouse on Sunday that will make or break their quarter-final chances.

Stevens, capped 32 times by England, could face a two-year ban following his positive test after Bath’s Heineken Cup game against Glasgow last month.

He is set to face a disciplinary hearing at a later date, but 26-year-old Stevens has been ejected from the England squad that will head to Portugal next Sunday for warm-weather training ahead of this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja fronted a brief news conference at the club’s Recreation Ground base, and admitted: “I was absolutely shocked. It is devastating news – something we could have done without.

“We all feel let down.”

Calleja added: "This week should have been all about the anticipation of a classic winner-takes-all match at the Rec. Instead, the headlines have been dominated by Matt Stevens.

“The club was informed by ERC, the Heineken Cup organisers, on Monday evening that Matt had failed a drugs test of a sample taken after the Glasgow match on December 14.

“The club immediately informed Matt of this and, in accordance with International Rugby Board regulations, suspended the player, such suspension to remain in force until the disciplinary process, as laid out in the ERC competition regulations, has been completed.

“On Tuesday, Matt was interviewed by Sky Sports and admitted to having taken a banned recreational substance, consistent with the findings of the drugs test.

“Matt remains suspended from the club pending the completion of disciplinary processes.

“This is a very serious matter, and the club does not, and will not, condone the use of illegal recreational or performance-enhancing drugs by any of its employees.

“But it must also ensure that disciplinary processes are fairly conducted and allowed to reach their proper conclusion.

“Only then will the club make another public statement on the matter.”

Stevens last year agreed a new four-year deal with Bath, and he was among the major contenders to gain selection for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer.

Now, though, he is battling to save his rugby career from the scrapheap, with a disciplinary hearing likely to be arranged within weeks.