Rugby star talks of his drug addiction

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by Change | 6 Mar 2009

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England rugby star Matt Stevens has opened up about the drug addiction that has seen him banned from the sport for two years.

Former England rugby star Matt Stevens has been discussing his drug addiction after being banned from the sport for two years.

The former Bath and England prop was found to have cocaine in his system when tested by the sport's drugs body and has since admitted that he was addicted to the drug.

Despite knowing he was likely to get caught because of the frequency of drug testing for international players in the sport, Stevens continued to use cocaine and has been talking about how the drug addiction consumed his life.

"At the time, you are asking yourself, 'Why?' - but you are doing it anyway," he told the Daily Mail.

"I wish I'd had the willpower to just not do it any more," he lamented.

However, the star believes the fact he was uncovered will be good for his career in the long-term, making him confront his problem and get the addiction treatment he needs.

At just 26, Stevens believes he is still capable of making a comeback in the sport and winning a place in future England teams, provided he can get through the rehab process and steer clear of drug use.

The star is not the first England rugby player to be embroiled in a row over recreational drug use.

England forward Lawrence Dallaglio resigned the captaincy of his country in 1999 amid accusations that he took drugs during a party while on tour with the Lions in 1997. The allegations were subsequently dropped and the star returned to the England setup with great success.

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