Bath: Stevens could return

Banned prop told that former club would welcome him back

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bath: Stevens could return

Stevens: Still welcome at Bath

I have spoken to Matt about where he sees his future and what he would like to do. We would love him to come back to us and I have made that clear

Nick Blofeld
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Suspended prop Matt Stevens has been told by Bath that the door is still open for his return to the Rec once his ban expires in 2011.

The disgraced England international received a two-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine following a Heineken Cup clash with Glasgow.

Stevens has already received an informal offer of a contract from Wasps board member Lawrence Dallaglio, who hit out at Bath for not showing the 27-year-old more support over the incident.

Now Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld has admitted that Bath would love to have him back, and that his presence is missed "both on and off the pitch".

"I have spoken to Matt about where he sees his future and what he would like to do. We would love him to come back to us and I have made that clear," said Blofeld.

"I may not have been at the club for very long, but in that time it is clear that Matt's presence at the club has been missed both on and off the pitch."

Return

Stevens, who has learnt martial arts during his time in isolation from the sport, revealed he would consider making a return to his former employers.

"I'm very pleased that Bath have spoken to me and said they would like me to come back," said Stevens, who won 32 England caps before the ban.

"It is obviously early days for my future rugby career but Bath and the rugby club are obviously still a big part of my life and I will give it very serious consideration."

Blofeld believes that Stevens will continue to maintain his fitness ahead of his return, which is likely to put him in contention for England's World Cup squad for the tournament in New Zealand in 2011.

"Matt has kept very fit and has even become a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, which is an extraordinary feat and demonstrates again his drive and determination to succeed," he added.

Blofeld, who was not at Bath at the time of the incident, has suggested that the club could have dealt with the situation more competently but believes the whole game will be better prepared should similar circumstances arise again in the future.

"He is a big character with strong leadership skills and a lot of charm. It therefore came as a shock to everyone when the news broke and we had no precedent when it came to dealing with it," he said.

"We are confident now that whilst we do not see an issue such as this arising again, if it did, the whole of rugby would be better able to deal with it."