BATH look set to get tough with Matt Stevens after the England star’s drugs confession left his rugby career hanging by a thread.

Bath chief executive Bob Calleja believes Stevens has "let down" the club following the 26-year-old’s positive test for a recreational drug.

The prop’s fate is likely to be decided by an independent judicial committee which could convene within weeks.The matter is being dealt with by European Rugby Cup as the test came after Bath’s Heineken Cup game at Glasgow on December 14.

Stevens, capped 32 times by England, is currently suspended from all rugby and has been removed from the England squad which travels to Portugal on Sunday for training ahead of this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

Stevens could receive a two-year ban, and speculation is rife in the west country that he might have already played his last game for Bath. He agreed a new four-year deal with Bath last February.

Calleja certainly struggled to contain his anger just days before Bath’s biggest game of the season.

Victory for Bath in Sunday’s Heineken Cup showdown with French giants Toulouse would see them secure a quarter-final place.

Calleja said: "This week should have been all about the anticipation of a classic winner-takes-all match at The Rec. Instead, the headlines have been dominated by Matt Stevens.

"With all the problems we are facing at the club – the ground development, problems of the rearranged Premiership game (against Wasps) – this was yet another shock we could have done without.

"We all feel let down. He has a responsibility, but until all the circumstances are known, I am not going to comment further."

Leicester prop Julian White has been called into the England squad to replace Stevens, the Rugby Football Union have announced.

"I know the team remains focused, they realise the importance of Sunday’s game.