English Rugby
Stevens eyes World Cup place
Scrum.com
March 14, 2010
England prop Matt Stevens during England training at Bath University, Bath, England, February 20 2008
Matt Stevens is hoping for a return to the England setup © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Matt Stevens
Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership
Teams: England | Saracens

Matt Stevens has set his sights on a place in the England squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup as he prepares for his return to rugby next year.

The powerful prop is currently serving a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine following Bath's Heineken Cup match against Glasgow in December 2008 but will join Guinness Premiership side Saracens on the completion of his suspension.

"For my own sanity that has got to be the goal," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "I'd like to play in the next World Cup but obviously there's a lot against me. But I'll be prepared and hopefully with the training I'm doing right now I will be in a position that I will be in the best shape of my life, so I'm going to give it every chance I can."

Stevens' ban prohibits him from training with his future team-mates but he has been maintaining his fitness with an expert in jiu-jitsu. He is hopeful that he will be fit enough to immediately slot into the Saracens squad.

"I've taken on a strength and conditioning trainer and I've also been working with a wrestling coach. I've been doing a lot of work with a guy who's a world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu," he said. "It's based around working with the floor which in my position is integral but it's also about not being taken to the floor, so it's helped my core stability and flexibility.

"I'd like to think I'd be fully fit to go. I'd like to be able to be up for selection as soon as possible. I'd hope that as soon as I hit the ground I'll be in a Saracens shirt."

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