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London - England prop Matt Stevens was ruled out of the tour of South Africa on Wednesday after suffering a shoulder injury, the Rugby Football Union confirmed.
South African-born Stevens, 29, who only returned to rugby last year after serving a two-year suspension for testing positive for cocaine, is to be replaced by Gloucester's Rupert Harden.
It is a cruel twist for the Saracens prop, who had battled his way back into the England squad despite his lengthy enforced lay-off from rugby.
England, who depart for South Africa on Wednesday, are already facing concerns over the fitness of flyhalf Toby Flood and the availability of Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi.
Tuilagi could miss the entire tour to South Africa after being cited for a "tip" tackle on Danny Care during last weekend's Premiership playoff final against Harlequins at Twickenham.
South African-born Stevens, 29, who only returned to rugby last year after serving a two-year suspension for testing positive for cocaine, is to be replaced by Gloucester's Rupert Harden.
It is a cruel twist for the Saracens prop, who had battled his way back into the England squad despite his lengthy enforced lay-off from rugby.
England, who depart for South Africa on Wednesday, are already facing concerns over the fitness of flyhalf Toby Flood and the availability of Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi.
Tuilagi could miss the entire tour to South Africa after being cited for a "tip" tackle on Danny Care during last weekend's Premiership playoff final against Harlequins at Twickenham.
