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- Foden Aims To 'damage' French Ambition
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| Foden Aims To 'damage' French Ambition | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 18 2010, 06:34 PM (155 Views) | |
| stacey | Mar 18 2010, 06:34 PM Post #1 |
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By Alex Lowe, Press Association Sport Rugby Union Reporter Ben Foden is ready to "cause a bit of damage" against Grand Slam-chasing France in Paris tomorrow night. The Northampton full-back will make his first Test start after England manager Martin Johnson finally bit the bullet and dropped the out-of-sorts Delon Armitage. Foden has felt ready all season and he incurred Johnson's wrath for declaring he was "livid" at being overlooked for the November internationals. England's coaching team still have their doubts about Foden's security at the back, particularly under the high ball, but they have given him licence to attack. And the 24-year-old is determined to take it. "I'm definitely ready for it," said Foden. "It's a big stage to be on, taking on the Six Nations leaders who are going for a Grand Slam in their back garden. I'm relishing the chance to test myself in that situation. "This is something I have been looking forward to all my rugby career. It is a massive opportunity. A lot of people are expecting big things from me and hopefully I can deliver. "It is in these situations that you find out what you are capable of - you really test your mettle. "One of the reasons I'm in the team is for my running ability and my counter-attacking ability, so I'm not going to shy away from that. "I have to use my head and read when it is on to run and when to kick. I am ready to make those decisions." Foden will link up with club-mate Chris Ashton, who has been drafted into a new-look England back three after scoring 19 tries in 25 games for Northampton. Johnson wants the Saints pair to spark an England back division that has been laboured and one-dimensional throughout the RBS 6 Nations. "I will play to my strengths and I know what Ashy is capable of if he gets a bit of space," said Foden. "We've had some good form together with Northampton so hopefully we can cause a bit of damage. They want us to counter-attack so hopefully I can do what I do best." Ashton was close to quitting the sport at the start of the season after doubting whether he could cut it in top flight rugby union. The former England rugby league international scored a record-breaking 39 tries in Northampton's 2007-08 promotion season after moving from Wigan but he struggled in the Premiership last year. Ashton considered returning to rugby league but was persuaded to stick with Northampton - and tomorrow he will become a dual international. "I didn't think I would get this chance," said Ashton. "Last year I was a bit lost in everything. I had been playing in Division One and I couldn't stop myself scoring tries. I stepped up into the Premiership and was expecting to hit the ground running but that didn't happen. "It shocked me a bit and knocked me back. At one point I was quite serious (about moving back to rugby league). "Thinking back to it now, it probably couldn't have worked out any better for me. I had the time to actually figure out this rugby union game and make it work." Ashton's England rugby league debut was also against France, at Headingley in the 2006 Federation Shield, but in very different circumstances. France are minnows in rugby league. Tomorrow night, Les Bleus will attempt to be crowned champions of Europe and complete a ninth Grand Slam in front of 80,000 fans. |
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