Stevens vows to return

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The Bath and England prop will be suspended from all rugby until January 18, 2011 after testing positive for cocaine.

"Matt accepts full responsibility for his actions," a spokesperson for Stevens said. "He would like to again apologise to everyone that has been involved in his career at Bath and England, his team-mates and rugby fans for letting them down."

He added: "He would also like to thank all those who have supported him through this time and intends to return to the game a better person and rugby player."

Stevens now faces an internal hearing with Bath. Despite still having three years remaining on his contract, his future at The Rec appears to be hanging by a thread.

Stevens was selected at random to provide a urine sample following Bath's Heineken Cup win over Glasgow on December 14 - only a fortnight after winning the last of his 32 England caps.

The ban covers all levels of rugby, including playing, coaching and even promoting the sport.

Stevens will miss out on Bath's bid for domestic and European honours this season and a Lions tour to his native South Africa in the summer, while his chances of breaking into the England squad in time for the 2011 World Cup would appear slim.

England manager Martin Johnson greeted news of Stevens' ban with little sympathy.

"I have said all through this episode that there is no place in sport or society for illegal drug use," he said. "Matt chose to take a banned substance and will now have to accept the consequences. He will not be involved in rugby for two years and, for a professional sportsman, that will be a very tough experience."