England Rugby Player fails drug test !!

[Doogie Browser]

That is great news about Davy Tweed, a hateful man who perpetuated hate and intolerance in the Ballymena area for years particularly at the Harryville protest. 

[orangeman]

Tweed is geeting his just desserts after being so public and so bitter. What goes around ..............

[Shamrock Shore]

I can't say it's great news cos there are victims (allegedly) in his wake but if he is found guilty I hope he rots for life in chokey as Bubba's bitch.

[Hoof Hearted]

There should be a short term ban for any drug taking but I would hope that the RFU and Bath get behind Stevens and help him through this!

This is good for Leinster though as Toulouse could kill Bath up front on Sunday without Stevens!

dont know about that tankie, Bath have 6 fron rowers who are as good as anything in the premiership. they are comfortable every week playing a different combination. Although personally Stevens would be my first choice

[Tim Buzaglo]

Of all the odious politicians we have had to put up with, this man is top of my list as the worst.  Complete Toerag.  Best news since Paul Berrys 'Massage'

On the Stevens issue, I find it pretty funny the way the media make it clear that he is 'South African born' now that he is a drug user.  Normally you can go through a whole match with Bath or England winning and they wouldn't mention it!

[orangeman]

Not good news !


Bath feel 'let down' by Stevens 

Stevens had been selected for England's Six Nations elite squad
Bath say they feel "let down" by Matt Stevens after his public admission that he failed a drugs test.

England prop Stevens, 26, confessed to having problems with a "very serious substance", which he said was not performance-enhancing.

Stevens has been banned by Bath and thrown out of England's Six Nations squad. His fate could be decided by a judicial panel in a few weeks.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja said he was "absolutely shocked".

606: DEBATE
He's young enough to come back, and the club will support him, despite his irresponsibility

forwardpasser
South African-born Stevens, who has 32 England caps, tested positive after the Heineken Cup game against Glasgow last month.

He can now request his B-sample to be tested, ask for a judicial committee to rule whether there has been an anti-doping violation or accept an anti-doping violation has occurred and go before an independent judicial hearing.

Stevens, who agreed a new four-year deal with Bath last February, could face a maximum ban of two years and will definitely miss Sunday's vital Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse.

Calleja said: "I was absolutely shocked. It is devastating news, something we could have done without. We all feel let down."

He added: "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."

Stevens has not revealed what he had taken, but said he took the drug while out with friends and that his use of the substance had become a problem.

He has already been attending drug counselling sessions.

  It's really about how Matt deals with this issue, because it is an addiction, it is an illness

Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott
Former Bath and England prop Gareth Chilcott told BBC Radio 5 Live that Stevens had to learn a lesson.

Chilcott said: "Other sports have proven that sportsmen can come back from a drug issue.

"But it's really about how Matt deals with this issue, because it is an addiction, it is an illness, and let's hope he gets some help. But there's no room for drugs in sport."

Stevens admitted in an emotional television interview: "I want to say I truly am very sorry. I want to change my life and hopefully one day get the faith back that people had in me."



Bath boss shocked by Stevens' troubles
Former Bath and England centre Jeremy Guscott said Stevens could benefit from his admission.

"He has come out and admitted his problems and is seeking help and is getting counselling," he said.

Professional Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley said he was shocked by the news.

"We will do everything we can to provide Matt with the support he needs at this very difficult time," he said.

Bath coach Steve Meehan said: "Life is full of all sorts of experiences. This one we are handling, and we are handling it well.

"My concerns are with the team and preparing them. My focus will be on the guys that take the field on Sunday."

Under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations, adopted by the International Rugby Board on 1 January, Stevens could face a suspension of up to two years.

But for a first offence, if a player can fully establish the use of such a specified substance was not intended to enhance sport performance, the sanction could range between a warning and a one-year ban.

In December, Manchester prop Marshall Gadd was suspended for two years after testing positive for a banned substance.

And in 2006, Australia winger Wendell Sailor was banned for two years after testing positive for a recreational drug.

Stevens joined Bath in September 2002 and played in all of England's games at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

Away from rugby he is best known as the runner-up in a celebrity version of The X Factor in 2006, raising £125,000 for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

In England, the Rugby Football Union, has conducted 1700 in and out of competition tests on rugby players across all levels since adopting the WADA code in the 2004-5 season.

In those four-and-a-half seasons there have been 14 positive tests.

[Tankie]

There should be a short term ban for any drug taking but I would hope that the RFU and Bath get behind Stevens and help him through this!

This is good for Leinster though as Toulouse could kill Bath up front on Sunday without Stevens!

dont know about that tankie, Bath have 6 fron rowers who are as good as anything in the premiership. they are comfortable every week playing a different combination. Although personally Stevens would be my first choice

Maybe its just that i rate Stevens very highly, he's a great mobile prop who's line breaks from rucks and mauls have let the back line run riot. Yes he can be replaces in the scrum but they will miss him about the park imo!

[ludermor]

I love the way as soon as someone is caught it becomes an illness or an addiction. 

[Gaaboardmod3]

Howye lads. I just deleted a post there as I am informed that there is some sort of legal wrangle ongoing, and initial reports of the story have been reworded or withdrawn on news websites.

Just in case like. On the other hand, if there is more recent stuff, I've no objection to it being posted.