Stevens future in doubt after drugs revelation

England prop Matt Stevens broke down in tears on Tuesday night as he confessed to a drug problem which could leave his career in tatters.

Stevens, 26, faces a potential two-year ban after testing positive for a recreational substance following Bath's Heineken Cup victory over Glasgow on December 7. He has been suspended from all competition and removed from England's elite squad, pending a resolution to the case.

"I was tested for a prohibited substance. It is not a performance-enhancing substance," Stevens told Sky Sports News.

He added: "It is a very serious substance and something over a period of time I have realised I have an issue with, something I think has basically ruined my life up until this point.

"It is pretty distressing talking about this. When you think how much time and effort so many people have put in to my career. I have thrown it away with irresponsible behaviour.

"The thing is, like any drug problem, you don't know it is happening and then it mounts up and before you know it you are sat there with a problem and an illness.

"It started off a couple of nights where you take it after a big night out with your friends and it wasn't a big deal.

"That is the problem with drugs, that it so quickly becomes a big deal. I owe it to everyone to admit that."

Stevens added that he had finally woken up to the severity of the problem and that he is determined to rebuild his reputation, both on and off the field.

He continued: "I want to say I truly am very sorry. I went to a few counselling sessions before the test came out. I obviously wasn't serious enough about it then. It is something I am serious about. I want to change my life and hopefully one day get the faith back that people had in me."