INTERVIEW MATTHEW STEVENS:A two-year ban for cocaine use would normally herald the end of a career, but a former England international has battled back and regained his focus, writes ROBERT KITSON

THERE WAS no happier athlete in the world this week than Matt Stevens. An enforced two-year break from rugby does wonders for the appetite and even the most vehement anti-drug campaigner listening to him in St Albans would have recognised a man who has learned a harsh lesson or three. Even being asked to supply a urine sample on his first day back – “They’re supposed to be random tests but I was expecting the whole bang shoot” – could not dilute his transparent joy.

And why not. Better the sinner that repenteth than the sad, self-loathing figure who, by the end of 2008, had a serious cocaine problem. Stevens , now 28, openly admits he is glad he got caught, despite the fact his ban stripped him of his club and international career and caused a huge amount of emotional turmoil.

“A lot of things over the last two years wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t tested positive. In an ironic, weird way it probably was the best thing that has happened to me. I hope I would have got off them some other way but I’d be an unhappy person if I was doing a press conference for other reasons and was still taking the drugs.”

With a new club, Saracens, twin baby girls and a new life in north London, Stevens has every reason to believe in the power of fate. In truth, though, a fair amount of counselling, self-criticism and determination has also been required to reach this point. Given the way he felt immediately after being informed he had tested positive following Bath’s game against Glasgow in December 2008, it has been a painfully long walk to freedom. For three months – “I wasn’t in a good place, I needed to step back from it all” – he could not even bring himself to train.

What dragged him back, ironically, was submissive wrestling, otherwise known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

“After my first jiu-jitsu fight I thought: ‘I love this feeling, I love that competitive edge. I’ve got to get back to doing what I’m good at’.”

He became British intermediate champion and competed in the World Championships in California. He did not triumph – “I got my arse shown to me” – but the experience convinced him that, if he made the physical commitment, he could play top-level union again.

In the past fortnight he has pounded a scrummaging machine 50 times a day and his new team-mates were suitably impressed at training.

“The lads all came in and said: ‘We’ve got someone special here’,” reported Andy Farrell, his former England colleague.

“He’s in great nick and he’s obviously been doing a lot of work. He wanted the ball more than anybody and he smashed a few. I’ve never seen a guy to be away for a couple of years and be as excited as he is. He’s exactly the same as where he left off as far as training is concerned.”

So much so that his coaches intend to pitch him straight into Monday night’s A team game against Wasps, followed by an LV Cup tie against the Scarlets next weekend.

And then?

Martin Johnson has not been in touch but Graham Rowntree, the England scrum coach, was at Wednesday’s session.

“He just said he’d be watching,” said Stevens.

“It (England) is something I’ve got to keep in my mind but right now it’s one game at a time. I’m feeling confident but I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m going to step into a scrum and not feel like I’ve been run over by a car the next day. There’s no doubt it’s going to be hard but I’m in the best possible shape I could be.”

And, above all, Stevens has visibly benefited from a cleansing of the soul. The support of his fellow players made him feel particularly grateful.

“No one gave me a wide berth. I was very humbled by the support I got from players who had every right to say: ‘You’ve let us down, get out of my sight.’ It’s been difficult but it’s taught me a lot about myself: my limitations as a person, and what I’ve got to keep focused on. It’s also taught me to be healthy in body as well as mind.”

Gone, in addition, is any hint of arrogance.

“It’s made me slightly more considered and reserved about certain situations . . . I think I’ve got a bit more humility about me now. But I don’t think my personality has changed. One of the best things today was sitting in the team room, listening to the banter flowing around you. I love that. The camaraderie is something I’ve really missed.”

To celebrate the former Celebrity X Factor contestant’s first day Saracens organised a sweet-eating race – “I won” – and a sing-off with the Scotland flanker Kelly Brown, whose rousing rendition of Bat Out of Hell trumped Stevens’s slightly off-key My Way. Sinatra knew a bit about comebacks and finishing top of the heap but Redemption Song would equally have suited the occasion.

"It was difficult but I managed to come out the other side so it's not a sob story. I am a little bit nervous of what supporters will say but I think people understand you can make mistakes. As long as I try and make sure I don't make those mistakes again, I think you've got to give a person a chance. That's what I've got to hope of other people." Guardian Service

Matthew Stevens Rise and Fall

October 1982:Born Durban, South Africa.

September 2002:Joins Bath after moving to study politics and economics at Bath University.

June 2003:Plays for England at tighthead in Under-21 World Cup.

June 2004:Full England debut in 36-3 loss in New Zealand.

April 2005:Three Six Nations appearances earn him a spot on Lions tour to New Zealand.

June 2005:Plays in the warm-up games but no Tests against New Zealand.

March 2006:Injures his shoulder. Requires two operations and does not return until June 2007.

September 2007:Makes World Cup squad. Starts three pool games in France; used as an impact player off the bench as England reach final.

January 2009:News that Stevens failed a drugs test in December made public.

February 2009:Banned from rugby for two years after positive test for cocaine.

March 2009:Quits Bath before club can sack him. Runs coffee shop in the city.

January 2010:Announces he will join Saracens when ban ends a year later.