Matt Stevens to miss South Africa tour – Rugby News Update
Matt Stevens, the 29-year-old England and Saracens' prop has been ruled out of the tour to South Africa, where England play a three-match test series, along with the two other mid-week games.
This is bad news for the prop who had recently played exceptionally well for the Saracens, and was really looking forward to the tour. Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, confirmed the injury to his shoulder, calling up the uncapped Gloucester prop,
Rupert Harden, in his place.
"Firstly, it's really tough on Matt but he has been assessed by the medics and he wouldn't be able to train or play for some time," said Lancaster.
"We wish him all the best but it's a great opportunity for Rupert, who has been the first-choice tight head for Gloucester this season and also involved in the Saxons during the Six Nations."
Stevens started his career with Bath Rugby, having gone to study at Bath University. The South African born prop made his bow in the Premiership during the 2002-03 campaign. He played for England at the U21 Rugby World Cup and got a call-up to the national
team in 2004. Stevens made his debut against New Zealand at Dunedin, on June 12, 2004.
He sustained the injury during the game against the Barbarians, and it was described as a 'shoulder rotator cuff injury'. There is however, good for England, as Toby Flood came through unscathed in training and is set to be on the plane to South Africa.
There were doubts about the Leicester fly-away, with the Tigers head coach, Richard Cockerill getting into an argument with Lancaster a few weeks ago.
Stevens would be disappointed to be left out due to an injury, as he made a comeback to professional rugby after a forced hiatus of two-years in 2011, due to the usage of a banned substance and finding traces of cocaine in his blood.
He had played for England at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2012 Six Nations. So far he has made 44 appearances for his country, starting 20 of those games and coming on as a substitute 24 times.
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