Experienced Leicester prop Julian White has been called into England's Six Nations squad as a replacement for Bath's Matt Stevens.

South Africa-born Stevens revealed on Tuesday he had failed a doping test after Bath's European Cup game against Glasgow last month and confessed he was struggling with substance abuse.

The 32-cap forward was immediately suspended by his club, kicked out of the England squad and is likely to be banned from rugby for up to two years.

White, capped 44 times by his country, was widely expected to be promoted from England's reserve Saxons squad, where his place has been taken by London Irish's Alex Corbisero, once Stevens was dropped.

The 35-year-old White hasn't played for England since deciding not to be a member of the 2007 World Cup squad in France because he wished to concentrate then on his responsibilities as a farmer.

"Julian is an experienced international. He has had time out of the England setup but he is in good form and is ready to make the step back up to the senior squad," England manager Martin Johnson said.

"Alex was one of the stand out players in the Under-20 side that reached the final of the Junior World Championship last year. He has had an outstanding season for London Irish and it's the right time to bring him into the Saxons."

"Illegal drug use cannot be tolerated. The regulations are very clear that any player who has tested positive is immediately provisionally suspended from all competition pending a disciplinary hearing.

"Matt has admitted that he has a problem and on behalf of the England players and management we hope that his rehabilitation programme is successful."

England, last season's runners up, begin their 2009 Six Nations campaign at home to Italy at Twickenham on February 7.

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