Foden ready to bounce back

Saints full-back keen shine on international stage

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 29th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Foden ready to bounce back

Foden: Hoping for England chance

When I didn't get the nod, I thought, 'This could be me knackered for the Six Nations'.

Ben Foden
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Northampton full-back Ben Foden is hoping for another chance to break into the England set-up after missing out in the autumn internationals.

The 24-year-old was hoping to prove his worth in England's three November Tests after he was named in the elite playing squad as the only specialist full-back following an injury to Delon Armitage.

However, Foden was released before each game as manager Martin Johnson instead chose to play first Ugo Monye (against Australia and Argentina) and then Mark Cueto (against the All Blacks) out of position.

Foden, who has made just one appearance for England in a 20-minute cameo against Italy at Twickenham earlier this year, has made no secret of his frustration at being omitted and is now hoping he will not be ignored for the RBS Six Nations.

Opportunity

"It was pretty hard to swallow, being the only out-and-out full back and being sent home," Foden told The Times.

"It was a big opportunity for me with Delon going down injured. He'd been playing superbly and I was thinking this was my chance to give him competition.

"When I didn't get the nod, I thought, 'This could be me knackered for the Six Nations'."

The versatile Foden can play anywhere across the back three or at scrum-half - and it was his desire to play in the No.9 jersey that saw him switch to Northampton from Sale in 2008.

However his form at full-back for the Saints has meant that his chances at scrum-half have been limited - with Foden now admitting his future is now in the No.15 jersey.

"I wanted to play scrum-half because it's a more influential role," he added.

"If the opposition see you as a threat at full back, they can play you out of the game, but I was playing so well there that the switch just became inevitable."