Dallaglio praises Stevens' honesty

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has praised Matt Stevens for confessing to his drug problems – and warned the disgraced prop he will now find out “who his friends really are”.

Stevens was removed from the England squad on Tuesday after testing positive for a recreational drug. The Bath prop, who confessed to having developed a substance problem, faces a potential two-year ban.

And Dallaglio – who resigned as England captain in 1999 after newspaper allegations that he dealt and took drugs before clearing his name – has offered his support to his former international team-mate.

“My initial feeling was to keep out of the matter, not wanting to rake up the past,” Dallaglio told The Sun.

“But I did telephone Matt and leave a message of support. We’ve been England team-mates and club opponents, and he’s facing a tough battle. I am conscious of the fact that Matt still has a hearing to face and, above all, do not want to say anything that might prejudice that.

“But I admire the guy for being honest, standing in front of the whole game and saying he has a problem and welcomes help."