Former Sale Sharks full-back Ben Foden is on the hunt for a place in the England squad for their summer tour to New Zealand and the Rugby World Cup next year.
The 28-year-old featured on the wing for England during last year’s autumn internationals but missed the Six Nations in its entirety due to injury.
Since then Foden has dropped down the international number 15 pecking order behind Saracen’s Alex Goode and Harlequin’s Mike Brown.
Foden is aware the next two months are crucial if he is to get in the squad and knows his upcoming Aviva Premiership play-off game against Leicester Tigers could prove a turning point.
But the Northampton player knows his career on the international stage is not over by any means after a recent conversation with England coaches Andy Farrell and Mike Catt.
“I spoke to Andy Farrell recently and I’ll speak to Catty (Mike Catt) before the weekend and they’ve told me already there is a lot to play for this weekend, by no means has the England squad been selected for New Zealand,” said Foden.
“Obviously there are names predominantly down for the tour but there are midweek games, there are tests, there are internationals going on when players competing in the Aviva Premiership Final won’t be involved, so a lot of things come into the equation.
“There are a lot of guys playing well in my position though, the likes of Mike Brown and Alex Goode for instance.
“There is just a lot of competition in the squad. For me it’s just about looking after my body and making sure that I’m doing the best I can for Northampton Saints and if the international call-ups come they come, if not then I will go away, work harder and hopefully put the pressure on them.”
Foden is well aware a chance to play in a World Cup on home soil is at stake and knows the hard work starts now if he is to force his way into Lancaster’s thinking; both in New Zealand and in June and next year.
“There is a lot to play for, some big games coming up for me to showcase what I can do.
“I’m only 28, I like to think I am quite an experienced international player and I can add something to the tour and hopefully I can do that first and foremost in these big knockout games.
“And hopefully I’ll get the call and make the flight. There is a lot of competition but mostly in my position which is a bit gutting.”
After effectively matching league leaders Saracens win-for-win during the season, Northampton have wobbled in recent weeks losing against both Saracens and Leicester Tigers.
They also drew against fellow play-off hopefuls Bath last weekend but face fierce rivals Leicester in the Aviva Premiership play-offs on Friday.
Foden admits it’s crucial for Saints to discover their best form now from earlier in the season when the likes of Saracens were destroyed 41-20 at Franklins’ Gardens in October.
Last year, Northampton reached the Aviva Premiership final but were controversially beaten by Midlands neighbors Leicester Tigers at Twickenham as club captain Dylan Hartley was dismissed.
And Foden admits they have unfinished business this time around as they spy another Twickenham appearance.
“If you look at the other teams involved in the top four, the likes of Leicester, Saracens, they’ve been performing pretty well, putting in big scores, taking out some of the big teams,” said Foden.
“Saracens are flying high after their semi-final win over Clermont in such impressive style.
“I think for us, we came up against Leicester and Saracens and came unstuck. It was the first hiccup of the season so far, so for us it’s about getting things back on track.
“The ground has firmed up, we’ve got to make that transition from wet weather rugby to playing the expansive game that we started well with and it’s what this club is all about really.
“You want to be busy during these months; you don’t want your season to be finished after this weekend.
“Everyone involved with the club wants to be competing at the highest level and we’re lucky that we’ve got a good squad and plenty of rugby left to play.”
Ben Foden was speaking at the launch of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Policy. Sign up for exclusive access to interviews and competitions at premiershiprugby.com/avivarugbypolicy
