England
Matt Stevens returns home to the Sharks
ESPN Staff
February 18, 2014
Matt Stevens on his return for Saracens, Scarlets v Saracens, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales, January 29, 2011
Matt Stevens - heading back to the city of his birth © Getty Images
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Former England and Lions prop Matt Stevens will return home to Durban at the end of the season and play for the Sharks after signing a two-year deal.

Stevens will arrive in August and will go straight into the Currie Cup reckoning. Sharks director of rugby, Jake White said: "Matt has a burning desire to be a part of our Currie Cup campaign and is a great signing for us.

"With our front row being unavailable during the latter part of the year, due to Springbok commitments, Matt's experience and knowledge will prove invaluable and the youngsters in our squad can take confidence from having a senior guy in the front row."

Sharks CEO John Smit added: "Matt's versatility on both sides of the scrum and his experience makes him a great acquisition to our squad. We look forward to welcoming him to The Sharks family."

Stevens faces a battle for a first-team place at the Sharks where first-choice Springbok props Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis are in their squad.

He played 44 Tests for England and toured with the British & Irish Lions twice. But he also made headlines for the wrong reasons when he was banned for two years in 2009 after testing positive for recreational drugs.

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