Ben Foden is leaving Northampton Saints
Long-serving former England full-back Ben Foden will leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season.
Foden is to move on after making his 250th appearance for Northampton in the final match of the Premiership campaign against Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
The 32-year-old has won a Premiership title and the European Challenge Cup twice during his time with Saints after joining from Sale Sharks in 2008, also earning 34 caps for his country, but is set for pastures new.
“I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to represent Northampton Saints almost 250 times,” said Foden.
There's one chapter left to write…
Fodes will lead Saints out on his 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣th and final appearance at the Gardens pic.twitter.com/llVrPEYokT
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) May 3, 2018
“I’ve enjoyed some incredible highs at this club over the last 10 years, winning trophies both in this country and across Europe. I want to thank all of the team-mates and coaches that I have worked with in that time, as well as wishing everyone that is staying here all the best for the future.
“I’m also so grateful to the club’s supporters, who have been behind me right from the beginning and made me feel loved every time I ran out at Franklin’s Gardens, and I leave with memories of them that I will cherish forever.
“I still feel fit and hungry for competitive rugby, and while now is the time to move on, I am really excited for what the next chapter holds in store for me.”
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After moving to Northampton in 2008 from Sale Sharks where he had already secured a Premiership title, Foden – who began his time at the Club as a scrum-half – soon established himself as one of the best fullbacks in European rugby.
It took him just one year to claim the first piece of silverware of his Saints tenure, lifting the European Challenge Cup in 2009.
He came within a whisker of topping that in 2011 as Northampton’s spectacular run to the Heineken Cup final ended in defeat to Leinster, despite his try in the first half of that epic clash.
But Foden remained a pillar of the side during Northampton’s stellar 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns, scoring in consecutive Premiership finals in 2013 and 2014 against Leicester Tigers and Saracens respectively – becoming only the second player achieve the feat.
He played a remarkable 22 games at fullback during Saints’ double-winning season as Northampton claimed both the Challenge Cup and Premiership titles.
His exploits at Franklin’s Gardens led to a superb international career also, with Foden – who had represented England at all junior age groups and for the Saxons – earning his first cap in 2009 against Italy. In total, Foden played 34 times for the Red Rose scoring seven tries, including two during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
And even after earning his Club cap for 200 appearances in the Black, Green and Gold last term, Foden has pushed on again this season and is in line to represent the Club for the 250th time this weekend.
“Fodes has been a remarkable player for both Northampton Saints and England,” said interim head coach Alan Dickens.
“We’ll miss having him around Franklin’s Gardens, both in terms of what he offers on the pitch as a player and a leader, but also as a character in the dressing room.”
Forwards coach Dorian West added: “Fodes has given the supporters here at Saints many happy memories and I’m sure they will repay him with a huge ovation on Saturday. He has the respect of everyone here and we wish him all the best for his next step.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to comments