Bath say they feel "let down" by their England prop Matt Stevens following his public confession that he failed a drugs test. The 26-year-old tested positive for a recreational drug, believed to be cocaine, and he admitted he was struggling with "a very serious substance". He is currently suspended by his club, who are preparing for a Heineken Cup clash against French giants Toulouse on Sunday.
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 will face a disciplinary hearing at a later date, but the 26-year-old has been ejected from the England squad that will head to Portugal on Sunday for warm-weather training ahead of this season's Six Nations.
Bath chief executive Bob Calleja told a news conference at the club's Recreation Ground base that he was "absolutely shocked".
"It is devastating news – something we could have done without," said Calleja. "We all feel let down. 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 14 December. 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."
A replacement for Stevens in the England squad, possibly Newcastle's David Wilson, will be announced later this week.
