Stevens ready for second chance

Thursday 20 January 2011
Published By: Ben Welch
Aviva Premiership > Saracens

It goes without saying that prevention is better than the cure but the imminent return to rugby for Matt Stevens shows to others who get trapped in the grasp of a drug habit that there is a way out.

Former Bath forward Stevens quit the club in 2009 before he was going to be inevitably sacked after being caught with cocaine.

His addiction to the white powder that had gathered pace from early 2008 saw him banned for a two years, leaving him with a battle to save not only his career but to prevent financial insolvency and tackle bouts of self-loathing.

He was rightly held as an example to all young players tempted to dabble in such things but his subsequent rebuilding of his life and career should be also highlighted. His fitness was maintained though Brazilian jiu-jitsu, becoming a British intermediate champion and even competed in the world championships in California. Fans more used to seeing Stevens' name appear in live rugby scores may have been surprised by this move, but it showed his commitment to staying in shape during his enforced break from rugby.

Returning to bath was never really an option but with a desire to keep his young family in London a move to Saracens was an opportunity too good to turn down.

A day-one random doping test was the least he could have expected but such has been his attitude and performances in training he could be named in the starting line-up for Monday night's A team game against Wasps, quickly followed by an LV Cup tie against the Scarlets next weekend. Should everything go to plan a home debut could come against Sale Sharks and February 6th and his name should start cropping up in the latest scores sooner rather than later.

With Saracens in second place in the Aviva Premiership the arrival of a player of Stevens' class - should he re-capture his former glories - would be a vital addition as they look to tackle the unenviable task of overhauling West Midlands giants Leicester at the top of the table.