JOHNSON ON STEVENS
Matt Stevens's positive drugs test is a big blow to England’s Six Nations campaign, admitted manager Martin Johnson. The Bath prop was been dropped from the squad after it was found that he had been taking a recreational drug, thought to be cocaine, and is likely to be disciplined with a two-year ban.
“It is a very sad situation,” said Johnson of the 26-year-old’s predicament on Wednesday morning. “When I heard I felt surprised, disappointed and let down. We don’t want guys taking drugs – it is not good for them and it is not good for the sport.
“We hope Matt sorts himself out, but he won’t be playing for us for a fair old while. It is a blow to us, to him as a player and as a person. But we have to deal with that as a team.”
England last won the Six Nations six years ago – the same year that Johnson lifted the World Cup. And the former Leicester Tigers lock knows that after the disappointment of the autumn internationals, a big win at Twickenham against Italian next Saturday is imperative if they are to succeed this year.
“It has been too long since England won the Six Nations,” said the 38-year-old. “The Welsh are champions and the French are always strong, so it is going to be tight. We have to start the tournament well. Off the back of three losses we need some confidence and momentum.
“We have to improve from the autumn, and learn the lessons. We had new, young players playing the best teams in the world. So they have more experience now.
“We gave away points too easily and we didn’t take our chances. But we are now a more experienced squad that we were four or five months ago.”
Matt Stevens's positive drugs test is a big blow to England’s Six Nations campaign, admitted manager Martin Johnson. The Bath prop was been dropped from the squad after it was found that he had been taking a recreational drug, thought to be cocaine, and is likely to be disciplined with a two-year ban.
“It is a very sad situation,” said Johnson of the 26-year-old’s predicament on Wednesday morning. “When I heard I felt surprised, disappointed and let down. We don’t want guys taking drugs – it is not good for them and it is not good for the sport.
“We hope Matt sorts himself out, but he won’t be playing for us for a fair old while. It is a blow to us, to him as a player and as a person. But we have to deal with that as a team.”
England last won the Six Nations six years ago – the same year that Johnson lifted the World Cup. And the former Leicester Tigers lock knows that after the disappointment of the autumn internationals, a big win at Twickenham against Italian next Saturday is imperative if they are to succeed this year.
“It has been too long since England won the Six Nations,” said the 38-year-old. “The Welsh are champions and the French are always strong, so it is going to be tight. We have to start the tournament well. Off the back of three losses we need some confidence and momentum.
“We have to improve from the autumn, and learn the lessons. We had new, young players playing the best teams in the world. So they have more experience now.
“We gave away points too easily and we didn’t take our chances. But we are now a more experienced squad that we were four or five months ago.”
Labels: England, Martin Johnson, Matt Stevens, RBS 6 Nations
