Martin Johnson, the England team manager, feels disappointed and let down by the Bath prop Matt Stevens, who is expected to receive a two-year doping ban after he admitted taking recreational drugs.
Johnson would have named Stevens in his squad for the Six Nations, which kicks off next week.
"Disappointment, surprise, a little bit let down," Johnson said, when asked how he felt about Stevens' admission. "All the guys know there's stringent drug testing in the sport, but you don't want guys taking drugs. It's not good for them as people and as athletes and it's not good for our squad and our supporters. So there are lots of emotions really.
"We all hope that Matt gets himself sorted out. His hearing will be whenever it will be and whatever penalty he gets he won't be playing for us for a fair while."
Stevens made an emotional confession, in a television interview last week, that he had been taking recreational drugs which have been reported (though not confirmed) to be cocaine. He was immediately suspended by the Rugby Football Union and Bath, pending a hearing of his case. No date has been fixed but it is likely he will receive a suspension of two years.
"It's a sad situation for him," said Johnson, who has recalled the 35-year-old Leicester prop Julian White as Stevens' replacement for the match against Italy at Twickenham on 7 February. "He's not available to play rugby. He can't do what he wants to do. He's got himself into trouble with drug taking. We have to get on with it and see that Matt gets himself sorted out and gets over the problem.
"If Matt wants to resume his rugby career post whatever ban he may get, then that's down to him. We're a long way from that."
England's captain, Steve Borthwick, said his players would rally round to help Stevens.
"I haven't spoken to Matt. I will do at the right moment," the lock forward said. "Quite clearly, it's a shock to me and everybody involved and who is a friend of Matt. He's got lots of friends in the squad and we're all doing everything we can to help him.
"But we've got to move on as a squad. We've got some big games coming up and a great, exciting championship. We've got Julian White in the squad, regarded as one of the best scrummagers in the world."
