White gets call to replace Stevens

Veteran Leicester prop Julian White has been called into England’s elite squad as a replacement for Matt Stevens.

The 35-year-old returns to the England fold for the first time since making himself unavailable for the 2007 World Cup campaign.

Stevens was removed from the England squad yesterday, after it was revealed he had failed a drugs test.

The Bath prop, who confessed to having a substance problem in an emotional television interview, is facing a potential two-year ban from his sport.

England team manager Martin Johnson said: “Illegal drug use cannot be tolerated.

“The regulations are very clear that any player who has tested positive is immediately provisionally suspended from all competition, pending a disciplinary hearing.

“Matt has admitted that he has a problem – and on behalf of the England players and management, we hope that his rehabilitation programme is successful.”

White, a former club and international team-mate of Johnson’s, had originally been included in the England Saxons squad.

Johnson added: “Julian is an experienced international. He has had time out of the England set-up but he is in good form and is ready to make the step back up to the senior squad.