Matt Stevens - Rugby Player Profile
Matt Stevens was born on October 1, 1982 in Durban, South Africa. Stevens is an English Rugby player and is currently playing for the Saracens as a prop.
The prop got his early education at Kearsney College, South Africa. In his early days, Matt played his youth rugby in South Africa and then got a chance to play for the Western Province and also with the Springboks at the junior level.
Stevens moved to England to pursue his higher studies at Bath University. He soon caught the attention of Bath Rugby club and made his debut in the 2002-2003 season.
He showcased his skills and talent and went on to impress the coaches of the U21 England team. In 2003 he represented the England U21s team in the Rugby World cup which was held at Oxfordshire. During the U21s World Cup, he impressed the Test selectors and
won his first cap against the New Zealand.
In the 2003-2004 season, Stevens helped Bath to triumph in the Zurich Premiership, where they dominated all oppositions in their rise to the top.
In 2005, Stevens made his first debut in the Six Nations and displayed his talent which led him to the squad for England’s tour to New Zealand.
The selectors included the 122 kg Stevens for the World Cup squad in 2007, he started three times in the pool games and came from the bench in all the other matches.
In 2008, Stevens signed a contract for four more years at the Bath Rugby Club, but in January 2009, he was banned for two years after coming out positive in a drug test for cocaine after Bath’s Heineken Cup match with Glasgow. Stevens was waved from the
England's 6 nations squad and was also suspended by the Bath Rugby Club.
The prop gave out a statement in 2009 that he was going to quit Bath RFC.
In 2010, the Aviva Premiership club Saracens confirmed that Stevens would join them after completing his ban from rugby. Stevens made his debut for the Sarries side that defeated Leicester Tigers at Twickenham in finals of the Aviva Premiership 2010-2011.
Two days after the Premiership victory, Stevens, was called to play for the England Saxons in the Churchill Cup. He started in all the games at the Cup and played a vital role in England’s dominance in the tournament.
The 1.87 meter Stevens was named in 2011 England’s rugby World Cup squad. He finally made his come back to the senior team in the warm-up match against the Wales.
Steven took the No.1 jersey from the loose-head Andrew Sheridan, but failed to show his skills in the World Cup, as the England side went out of the tournament.
Stuart Lancaster has kept Matt Stevens in the national side, as he gives great versatility to the squad. Stevens is chosen in the 42-man squad for the upcoming Test Tour to South Africa.
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