Setting a goal: Matt Stevens
Disgraced prop Matt Stevens insists he can win a place in England's squad for the World Cup when he returns to the game next year.
Stevens received a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine following Bath's Heineken Cup match against Glasgow in December 2008.
The 27-year-old quit Bath, but announced in January he would sign for Saracens upon the completion of his suspension.
Now he believes he can resume his England career in time for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
"For my own sanity that has got to be the goal. I'd like to play in the next World Cup but obviously there's a lot against me," he said.
"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 is not allowed to train with his Saracens team-mates but is in full training by himself and three times a week employs an expert in jiu-jitsu.
He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "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.
"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."
Stevens' ban ends on January 20, 2011 and he expects to be able to pull on a Saracens shirt immediately.
He added: "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."
He has been watching England's struggles in the RBS 6 Nations, in which they have lost to Ireland and on Saturday drew with Scotland.
On England's performance he said: "I was disappointed. I thought the boys would play with a bit more dynamism.
"The calibre of the individuals in that team really should have shone through but there's a lot of work to do and you've just got to keep supporting them."
Comments
dclp says...
There's a place for players like Matt Stevens, it's called Rugby League.
Posted 21:07 14th March 2010