• Aviva Premiership

Stevens relishes reserves return

ESPNscrum Staff
January 25, 2011
Matt Stevens enjoyed a winning return to rugby © Getty Images
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Matt Stevens made his comeback from a two-year drugs ban on Monday night with a low-key run-out for Saracens' 'A' side.

The former England tight-head turned out in a 39-29 Aviva A-League win against Wasps at Old Albanians - his first action since he picked up a ban for failing a drugs test in December 2008.

The 28-year-old, capped 32 times by England, played 53 minutes of the contest and could figure for Saracens in Saturday's Anglo-Welsh Cup match against the Scarlets.

"I wanted to get back on the field after being pulled off...I can't wait to play as much rugby as I can," Stevens told Sky Sports News.

"I've said it [the ban] was a good thing that happened to me, it's something I've learned from. If you can learn from your mistakes, all the better."

Meanwhile, Gloucester openside Andy Hazell, who made his debut in the 1997-98 season, has agreed a new deal to stay at Kingsholm. Gloucester-born Hazell, 32, had a testimonial season in 2008-09.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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