Was stunned to read today that as a result of his drug use (for a recreational drug) he can not attend a game for 2 years. I fuly agree with the ban from playing and coaching but attending a game!!! Seems to hark back to the days when players who transferred to Rugby League were deemed "unclean" and not allowed darken the doors of any rugby union club.
Its deja vu all over again!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9365598.stm
Best of luck to him, pity he's not coming here...
\"There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness\".
Dalai Lama
Here is another good interview with him from over a year ago
- <a href="http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2009/11/matt-
<br / target="_blank">stevens-on-life-away-from-
rugby.html">http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2009/11/matt-
stevens-on-life-away-from-rugby.html</a>
The terms of his ban do seem somewhat harsh all right.
considering what came out about that club later on I still
suspect he was pushed into copping a big ban to deflect
Originally Posted by John123
He is 29 though, while he might be a useful addition when and if he can regain fitness and form it would hardly be a signing for the foreseeable future
irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Monday, June 20, 2011, 09:20
Stevens set for England recall
Rugby : Matt Stevens is set to continue his remarkable comeback from a two-year drugs ban by being named
in England's World Cup training squad on Monday.
Since returning to the fold in late January, Saracens prop Stevens has not been on a losing team, either for newly-crowned Aviva Premiership champions Saracens or at representative level with England Saxons.
And after reeling off three influential displays for the Saxons during their successful Churchill Cup campaign, a senior squad recall now beckons.
Stevens won the last of his 32 England caps in November 2008, but a lengthy suspension imposed for cocaine use then saw him banished to the sporting wilderness.
"Because I've played for England before, I know exactly the honour and esteem that goes with it," he said, following Saxons' 37-6 victory over Canada at Worcester that meant they lifted the Churchill Cup for a sixth time in nine seasons.
"I am very keen. I will work as hard as I can and see what happens. It has been a tough five months, but it is just week on week for me now. What I've said to myself throughout this whole tournament has been about performance, and I am happy with the way I have performed.
"There is a lot of room for improvement, I know that, but I am happy with the way things are going."
Stevens relished the Saxons environment, and he will be the headline promotion by senior boss Martin Johnson from a squad that racked up 165 points and 23 tries in three games.
"Week on week, we have improved as a group of players," added the 28-year-old. "I think there are definitely a lot of (Saxons) players who have put their hands up for selection in the future. When we got into that changing room (yesterday) we were really energetic and bouncy to go out there and win the game convincingly."
Saxons head coach Stuart Lancaster, meanwhile, has no doubt about the impact Stevens made on a team that benefited enormously from his immense scrummaging power and work in the loose.
"From my point of view, Matt has been outstanding," said Lancaster. "He came in, added an experienced voice and played three lots of 80 minutes on the bounce in the tournament. He has been great off the field, and on the field he has delivered for me and the other coaches. It's a tick for me in the box."
Johnson's squad of 45 will include all the familiar faces responsible for England's RBS 6 Nations title triumph earlier this year. But there are likely to be some interesting additions, with the so-called foreign legion possibly out in force.
Leicester's Samoa-born centre Manu Tuilagi, who completes a suspension next Thursday for punching Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton during a feisty Premiership play-off clash at Welford Road in May, can expect the call from Johnson.
Tuilagi's Tigers team-mate Thomas Waldrom, born in New Zealand but who has an English grandmother, is another strong contender, along with two of Saracens' South Africa-born contingent - centre Brad Barritt and lock Mouritz Botha.
And it will be fascinating to see whether or not Johnson finds a place for ex-England captain Steve Borthwick, who led Saracens to title glory just three weeks ago.
Second-row Borthwick has not featured for England since last year's Six Nations, having initially had a knee injury and then being omitted from the elite player squad announced by Johnson in July.
While the senior England group now takes centre stage, building towards World Cup warm-up Tests against Wales (home and away) and Ireland in August, the Saxons can reflect on a job well done during the final Churchill Cup competition.
With Canada and the United States now included in the International Rugby Board's tournaments and tour schedule, it means they will play home Tests during June against top Test nations from next summer.
The decision to end a Churchill Cup agreement that
4 Feb 2011 - Gilmore on the General Election
"Frankfurts way or Labours way."
28 Feb 2012 - Gilmore on a yes vote for the fiscal treaty
"A vote for economic stability and a vote for economic recovery."
South African born England prop Matt Stevens has retired from international rugby with immediate effect.
England prop Matt Stevens retires from international rugby to focus on Saracens and his young family
England and Saracens prop Matt Stevens has announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.
Calling time: Matt Stevens has announced his retirement from international duty Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Telegraph Sport
3:14PM BST 09 Aug 2012
Comment
The Saracens forward has won 44 caps for his country and played at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
But the 29-year-old feels he cannot commit himself through to the next World Cup in England in 2015, and has chosen to step down from Test duty and focus his efforts on club rugby and young family.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make," Stevens said. "Playing for England has been the ultimate honour and I have been very privileged and proud to wear the white shirt and play with some great players.
“I believe England under Stuart, Graham (Rowntree) and Andy (Farrell) are heading in the right direction towards 2015 and I remain a huge supporter of what they are doing. But I have a young family and, conscious that I would not be able to commit to the World Cup in three years, I have decided that the time is right to call it a day and to focus on my rugby at Saracens.”
Lancaster said: “On behalf of England Rugby I want to thank Matt for his contribution over the years. He should look back on his international career with pride. I am sure he will continue to be successful with Saracens and beyond.”
Marty in the Morning
Weakens England as he is one of the few props about who can play both sides although 23 man panels are on their way everyone keeps saying, so he might have lost out to a pair of specialists anyway. Best of luck to the fella though, f*cked up but quietly took his punishment, rebuilt his life and has come back to top class rugby. Like the timing of the announcement as well, quiet and understated when everyone's attention is focused elsewhere
Agree he copped his punishment on the chin and got on with his life. Never liked Bath but respect him for coming back.
Meh!
Otaga Daily Times 2/5/2012
Taz-Where did you get that information as I have seen nowhere that he(Penney) was ruled out?
Editor - The writer stands by the Penney information.
Otaga Daily Times 3/5/2012
Editor-- This article originally said Rob Penney had missed out on the Munster coaching job. That information was incorrect.
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