News

Foden relishing Mallinder link-up

May 27 2008

Ben Foden believes his move to Northampton Saints can help him break into the England team, with the help of Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder.

Foden has a deep-rooted faith in Mallinder's ability to extract the best from him as a player, a faith built around his rise through the ranks.

The 22-year-old scrum-half has represented England at U16, U18 and U21 levels, all of which, at the time, were under the management of Mallinder.

Now Foden, disgruntled at playing full-back for Sale, is hoping he can rekindle his relationship with Mallinder having signed for Northampton.

Having already been selected to represent England Saxons at the Churchill Cup, albeit as a full-back, Foden is hoping his partnership with Mallinder, as a scrum-half, will enable him top break into Martin Johnson's England team.

"Hopefully by concentrating on the nine shirt I can put in performances that will put me in England recognition," Foden told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo.

"Jim is a very good coach and hopefully he can help me achieve that.

"He sold me the vision to join Northampton and when he showed me around you realise he is at the right club to take the team places.

"The support and the facilities are all here and Jim is a quality coach."

It seems Mallinder's man-management is what helps to get the best out of his players and breed a team ethos.

"I've worked with Jim with England and he was at Sale when I started as a youngster," added Foden.

"He is very good at pulling you aside and telling you what you need to do right.

"If you are rested there will always be a reason for it and that is what players like.

"He will explain what you need to improve on to get into the team.

"I know it will be a very tough battle next season at scrum-half with Lee Dickson and Alan Dickens at the club, but I will put everything into and hopefully it will work out for me."

Foden has, despite an injury, had a sensational season at full-back for Sale, bagging eight tries to boot. He knows a good Saxons tour could see him make the step-up to the England side, given an injury or two.

"By taking that form and putting it into a season in Premiership rugby you can start getting the recognition you need to start playing for England Saxons and eventually the full squad," said Foden.

"By going down to Northampton it is going to be a fresh start and it will be a new experience for me.

"I spoke to Jim Mallinder halfway through the season when I was in talks about coming to Northampton.

"He sees me as a nine and a full-back but he said he would give me opportunities and if I take them I will be playing nine regularly.

"I signed quite a long time ago actually, Sale were a bit reluctant to let me go but it was a decision I made personally.

"It was something I needed to stick to really and I'm looking forward to coming down to Northampton.

"I think they have got a good thing going on down there.

"They've made some really good signings in the summer and hopefully they'll be a team to be reckoned with.

"Hopefully I'll be able to put in the performances down at Franklins Gardens that I've been putting in at Edgeley Park."