Bath and England prop Matt Stevens has revealed he has failed a drugs test.

The 26-year-old made the announcement in an interview with Sky Sports News.

Stevens said: “I was tested for a prohibited substance but it’s not performance enhancing, so you can take what you want from that.

“It’s a very serious substance and something that I’ve, over a period of time, realised I have an issue with, something that I think has basically ruined my life up until this point, so it’s pretty distressing talking about this.

“When you think how much time and effort so many people have put into my career and I’ve thrown it away with irresponsible behaviour.

“Like any drug problem you don’t know it’s happening and it mounts up and before you know it you’re sat there with a problem and an illness.

“It started off just a couple of nights where you’d take it after a big night out with your friends and it wasn’t a big deal and that’s the problem with drugs.

“It so quickly becomes a big deal and I owe it to everyone to admit that.

“I want to say I’m truly very sorry. I started (counselling) before the tests came out. I went to a few counselling sessions , but I wasn’t serious enough about it.

“I’m going (to a session) tonight and I want to change my life and also, hopefully, one day get back the faith that people had in me.”

Stevens has been suspended from all competition and removed from the England Elite Player Squad.

A statement from the Rugby Football Union read: “The Rugby Football Union has been made aware by European Rugby Cup (Ltd) of the positive doping test given by Matt Stevens following the Heineken Cup match against Glasgow Warriors in December 2008.

“The procedure for potential doping offences is clearly laid out in the ERC Regulations and as such the player is immediately provisionally suspended from all competition.

“Matt has been removed from the England Elite Player Squad and will not travel to the training camp in Portugal on Sunday or be involved in the squad until the resolution of the case when a further decision on his inclusion in the England squad will be made.

“A decision on a replacement for Matt in the EPS squad is being considered by England Team Manager Martin Johnson and an announcement will be made in due course.”