Saracens sign Matt Stevens after two year ban
He will be playing for the Saracens and believes that his game will be good enough to earn a call up for England’s national squad for the World Cup.
The former English tighthead, will enter the next phase of his rugby career today, after the expiration of his ban. He has already linked up with his new team mates in Saracens.
Stevens believe that this two year ban from rugby for cocaine use has been the best thing in his life as a rugby player.
In a recent interview he admitted to the fact that he is in a better position in life and an upgraded version of himself. Reports have confirmed that the former England prop is now capable of resuming his career in rugby with Saracens.
Stevens has to prove a lot on the field with Saracens to make it to the national team. The line of props has been growing stronger and healthier after he left and there is no actual space for him in the squad. Stevens is ready to face the music and knows
the level of mettle he has to exert to get there.
Matthew Stevens is an English rugby union player, who has been playing for Bath and England till December 2009.
He usually appeared as a loose head for Bath, but has the ability to cover both sides of the scrum. But he has been playing at tighthead for England. He became famous in 2006 when he appeared on ITV on The X Factor: Battle of the Stars and made it to the
finals against Lucy Benjamin.
He alone raised 125,000 Euros from the show for Nelson Mandela Children’s fund.
He holds a BA degree from University of Bath in politics with economics.
Stevens started his youth rugby from school level in South Africa and earned honours for South African Universities and Junior Springboks at Under 18 and 19 level.
After moving to England for his studies he joined Bath in 2002 and got attention for his strong performances in the club, even though coming on as a substitute. He was called by the senior English team in 2003 on a summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.
In January 2008, he was signed again by Bath on a four year contract but he couldn’t complete the tenure, because he failed a dope test for consuming cocaine and was banned from rugby for two years. It was announced in January 2010 that Stevens will be signed
by Saracens after his ban is over.
The player himself is very happy on his return and has made a point that this time in his life is the best. He said, “It feels like Christmas Day - I packed my bag last week. I'm pretty nervous. It's amazing I'll be able to play rugby again. I'm a social
animal and I really miss team training sessions”.
Stevens said that when he wasn’t playing, he had nothing on his mind other than when he will get to play again. He has a belief that after earning 32 caps for England he will earn more after getting back into perfect shape.
He said, “It is my goal to play for England again but I've been out for two years and I wouldn't ever to want to come across as that guy who would assume he's got what it takes to play”.
Right now Stevens wants nothing more than to perform well for Sarries and prove a point.
On the other hand, Rowntree said they will be watching his game closely and will be looking forward to see through his chances of getting back.
He also added, “We’ve seen Paul Doran-Jones,Dan Cole, and David Wilson come through, outstanding young players in the same position. Yes the door is open but I don’t want his comeback to be a diversion”.
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