Stevens Gets Two-Year Ban After Taking Cocaine

Stevens failed the test after playing a Heineken Cup match for Bath against Glasgow in December.

England prop Matt Stevens has been banned for two years after a routine doping test showed he had used cocaine, European Rugby Cup said on Thursday.

Stevens failed the test after playing a Heineken Cup match for Bath against Glasgow in December and was provisionally suspended in January, pending Thursday's independent judicial committee hearing in Glasgow.

"After considering the evidence, and in light of Mr Stevens' admissions, the committee determined that an anti-doping rule violation had occurred in that the player's sample had contained benzoylecgonine and methylecgonine, which are metabolites of cocaine," an ERC statement said.

Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and is a prohibited substance under both the Heineken Cup's anti-doping programme and Word Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) code.

The South African-born 26-year-old, who has played 32 times for England including every match at the 2007 World Cup, was removed from the RFU's Elite Player Squad when the doping violation came to light.

Stevens admitted at the time he was attending counselling sessions for a drug problem.

The English RFU, which fully supports the WADA code, said it strongly condemned the use and distribution of prohibited substances while Stevens received little sympathy from England team manager Martin Johnson.

"I have said all through this episode that there is no place in sport or society for illegal drug use," Johnson said in a statement on Thursday.

"Matt chose to take a banned substance and will now have to accept the consequences. He will not be involved in rugby for two years and for a professional sportsman that will be a very tough experience.

"Matt has admitted that he has a problem and is seeking help. We support him in that but all rugby players must understand that they are responsible for their actions, and that includes lifestyle choices."

Stevens, who declined his right to have his B sample tested, will be ineligible from all rugby related activities until January 2011.

Bath said they would not make any statement on Stevens' future with the club until they had held an internal hearing.