Johnson: Drugs rules are clear

England boss Martin Johnson last night warned: “Illegal drug use cannot be tolerated.”

Matt Stevens was removed from the England squad on Tuesday after testing positive for a recreational substance.

The Bath prop, who confessed to having developed a substance problem, faces a potential two-year ban.

Johnson has replaced Stevens with veteran Leicester prop Julian White, who returns to the international arena for the first time since making himself unavailable for the 2007 World Cup.

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.”