Guscott: No drugs problem in rugby

Stevens broke down in tears as he confessed to a drug problem that could leave his career in tatters. The 26-year-old faces a potential two-year ban after testing positive for a recreational substance following Bath's Heineken Cup victory over Glasgow on December 7.

But Guscott does not believe players could afford to hamper their fitness through recreational drug use in the professional era and told BBC Radio Five Live: "On the evidence of what I've seen in professional rugby, you've got to be faster, you've got to be fitter, you've got to be stronger - if anything, I'd have thought there might have been a possibility of performance-enhancing drugs appearing."

He added: "But these guys in general are very true and honest to themselves. It takes a lot of hard work to get into the position of representing your country or professional club side.

"It is pretty astounding. Throughout my career there were very little drugs. You know you're going to get drug tested.

Of Steven Guscott continued: "He's been caught, which, in the long run, will be to his benefit.

"It's the best for him as an individual, his life, and the people involved in his life because events (would have) only got worse from here on in (had he continued taking drugs)."

Stevens decided to reveal the news himself in an emotional televised interview on Wednesday.

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