Stevens edges closer to completing full circle

England prop Matt Stevens is close to completing full circle from international rugby player, to outcast in the wilderness for two years and back again. The 28-year-old is part of Martin Johnson's World Cup preliminary squad for this autumn's tournament, with the Saracens man widely expected to be among the 30-players named to represent England in New Zealand starting in September.

After returning to the game following his two-year drug ban, Stevens has impressed everyone with not only his impressive form for new side Saracens, but also his mental attitude towards returning from the cold. The prop was an integral part of the successful England Saxons side that claimed the Churchill Cup earlier this summer, where Stevens proved to Johnson that he was ready to once again return to the full squad ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Stevens will now be hoping to impress his manager during England's back-to-back warm-up matches against Wales, the first game on August 6th at Twickenham with the return fixture the following weekend in Cardiff. Stevens has admitted there is plenty of healthy competition among the front-row and he is just determined to focus on his job of securing that seat on the plane.

The prop's return to the game coincided with Saracens impressive end of season form that saw the club lift the Premiership title. Stevens has made it clear he is keen on continuing using the momentum gained from Saracens end of season run, to help England achieve big things this autumn. Those placing Betfair rugby bets will be wondering how he'll get no.

"I've been lucky to be in teams with real pedigree since I've been back. If picked for the World Cup, then of course I want my unbeaten run to continue and [to] help England go as far as possible," he said.


"There's a lot of competition for places in the front row, but that only makes the strength in depth better. Competition is everything - we all want to be better players."

An appearance in the final of a World Cup, just months after returning to the game following a two year ban, would be quite a turnaround for the determined Stevens.