Lawrence Dallaglio (L)played for England with Matt Stevens (R) and has now offered his support the troubled Bath prop © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Lawrence Dallaglio | Matt Stevens

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations | Six Nations

Teams: England

Former England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio has offered a message of support to troubled Bath prop Matt Stevens following his recent admission of a drugs problem.

Stevens admitted on Tueday to a drugs habit that has seen him suspended from all competition and removed from England's Elite Player Squad for the Six Nations.

Dallaglio is no stranger to controversy himself, having resigned from his position as England captain in 1999 following allegations of drug dealing in his youth and drug taking on the1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in the News of the World newspaper. He has now offered his support to the under-fire Stevens.

"My initial feeling was to keep out of the matter, not wanting to rake up the past," Dallaglio told The Sun newspaper. "But I did telephone Matt and leave a message of support. We've been England team-mates and club opponents, and he's facing a tough battle. I am conscious of the fact that Matt still has a hearing to face and, above all, do not want to say anything that might prejudice that.

"But I admire the guy for being honest, standing in front of the whole game and saying he has a problem and welcomes help."

Dallaglio also pointed out the support network available to Stevens within the sport, and hoped for Stevens' to return to "what he does best."

"The most important thing, no matter what the hearing's verdict, is Matt knows he's got support in rugby as he battles to get his life back to where he wants it, back doing what he does best," he said. "These are the sort of tough times when a guy discovers who his friends really are."

Another former England star, Austin Healey, has also spoken out on the matter and proclaimed his surprise given his experience of Stevens' character.

"Matt has made a huge error and one he will have to live with," Healey said in the Daily Mirror. "The only consolation to the sport right now is that we're not talking about taking a performance-enhancing substance.

"Use them and you're cheating everyone you play against. At least with this, unacceptable though it is, Matt has not cheated anyone else. He's only let himself down. I am so surprised with what he's done. He always struck me as a really down-to-earth sort of character who loved his rugby. A good laugh, never one to really take himself or life too seriously."