RUGBY: PROP MATT Stevens, who returned to action in January after a two-year doping ban, was named in England's 45-man rugby World Cup training squad yesterday.

Samoan-born Manu Tuilagi and fellow uncapped players Thomas Waldrom, Mouritz Botha, Joe Simpson and Charlie Sharples were also included in the squad, which will be trimmed to 30 in August before the World Cup in September and October.

Stevens was an England regular before he was banned after testing positive for cocaine. The 28-year-old has been in superb form since returning to action, helping his club Saracens to the Premiership title and consistently impressive for England’s second-string Saxons team in the Churchill Cup.

Tuilagi (20) and South Africa-born Botha, now available after completing his qualification period, add more overseas influence to the squad.