Foden: Doubtful for November Tests
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England full-back Ben Foden is facing a spell on the sidelines after injuring his ankle during Northampton's victory at Bath last Friday
The 27-year-old has severely damaged his ankle ligaments and, while the full extent of the injury is not yet known, he looks certain to be out for several weeks.
"Ben Foden sustained significant damage to his ankle ligaments during last Friday's Premiership game against Bath, and he is going to see a specialist tomorrow (Wednesday)," a Northampton statement read.
"The club will have more information after that, but Ben is expected to be out of action for a number of weeks."
The news is a blow to Northampton, who have made a fine start to the season, winning their first three Premiership fixtures.
And England head coach Stuart Lancaster will also be concerned because his side take on Fiji on November 10, prior to clashes with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
With two beefy centres of Manu and Barritt or 12trees then a magician on the wing is perhaps the way to go
Posted 20:18 20th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Heart of oak. Agree. I'm probably too concervative keeping a jem like Wade out. I also got it wrong on Foden. He played 15 for 2nd test. Anyhow Lancaster talks about back three players not 15 vs 11. Wade might slot in with Ashton and Brown nicely. Scares me but what the hell. If it works!
Posted 20:15 20th September 2012
heart_of_oak says...
ArmchairGeneral - what I said was that we should play a different back line depending on the opposition. I didn't envisage Wade being used for his defensive skills but rather for his pace. I don't want to see another Tony Underwood vs Jonah Lomu situation which was embarrassing and naiive of England's selectors at the time. I reckon Lancaster is more astute than that.
But I agree that even against smaller opposition, you'd expect your wingers, whoever they are, to be able to tackle.
Posted 08:10 20th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
It seems noone noticed but Foden is England's wing already, not FB. When Brown was injured Goode replaced him at FB. Brown is England's first choice FB. As for 11. Wade is going to get shown up. Let it happen at club level and see how he over comes being targeted by high balls and the kind of treatment Tiquiri gave short boys. And lets see a few try saving tackles from Wade. Last season i was calling for Benjamin. Now Biggs is up there but May at Gloucester is the man. Wade I would maybe try in the six nations if he proves hes strong in all areas of his game. If May Biggs Benjamin fail like Sharples and Strettle then maybe in the 6 nations Wade vs Italy. Eastmond might yet overtake Wade. I remember when people questioned Fodens defence and his response was to put in some big defensive games for club. Wades not doing that yet...
Posted 19:53 19th September 2012
NHSaints says...
That sucks, for saints and England, he's a class player, one of the best in the world...certainly the most solid fullback defensively although you've got to say at least we have Brown and Abendanon as backup who are also very good...I wouldn't suggest Long term this is the best option though as I feel Foden could do with the break before a return to action. Brown should get to start the autumn tests with Wade to see how they both handle top level internationals. If Wade doesn't live up to the international stage I reckon we try these two things - first miles benjamin on the wing, he's not as good technically but he's brutal, big and pacey...secondly Brown on the wing and Foden at Fullback (or the other way around). As for Northampton...who will replace him? Diggers is getting a little too old for playing 15 at that level and Neither of the Pisi's are any good at 15 (as we found against the scarlets) so that leaves us with...Sempere, May and Wilson? Sempere is also too old, Wilson too smash and bash to be much use against Worcester...looks like May it is.
Posted 16:58 19th September 2012
Jediboy says...
Bummer!!
Posted 15:00 19th September 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Nice to have a debate without the rant of all the chip on the shoulder England haters. You should read some of the stuff on the HC threads.
Anyway, a point I've made on previous posts is that we ought (and of course it's just my opinion) to play a different back line depending on the opposition we face. There are teams with very powerful back lines and others where the back line is less physical but with other characteristics.
Centre12 - I agree with you 100% re Sharples, Strettle and co. I reckon Foden could play on the wing and Brown at FB, if we needed a strong defensive back line. If we didn't need that, and if instead, we needed say, out and out pace, then I'd go for Varndell and Wade, probably with Foden at FB rather than Brown. I reckon Foden just edges it but Brown is no mean substitute and as you say he's had a great season.
Posted 14:58 19th September 2012
Centre12 says...
@heart_of_oak
What i'm saying is that England are struggling to fill the other wing position alongside Ashton. Strettle, Sharples, Monye have all had the chance to nail down that spot but have never really lived up to their potential through injury or loss of form. I wouldn't say that Foden is a WC Wing, I would say that he is arguably the 2nd best #15 in the NH behind Rob Kearney and that his experience and attacking flair would be more effective than most other wingers available to England and would also allow Brown to be included in the mix, a player who had a stormer of a season last season. It still makes me wonder why Simpson-Dainiel never got more Caps than he did but that is another story.
In regards to North, yes I agree, North, Cuthbert, Bowe, Visser will all be on the list of wingers to get on that Lions tour before Ashton's name is even mentioned unless he has a good season.
Posted 12:43 19th September 2012
ramm83 says...
Never good to lose a player of Foden's calibre but not bad when you have someone of Mike Brown's quality to step up!
Posted 12:34 19th September 2012
craigsman says...
England back line:
Ashton
Brown
Wade
Risky but.... I think Wade channel could be protected.
Posted 12:11 19th September 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Centre12 - The way I read your comment, you see Foden as a world class winger. Is that what you meant to say or have I misinterpreted you ? I'd like to say I agree but I don't.In my opinion, Foden would be on the wing if we needed a winger with good defensive skills. I'd use Delon Armitage on the wing for the same reason. I don't think we've got a world class winger at the moment. I rate Ashton as ok - one of our better wingers but not a patch on the , kiwi or bok wingers. I think George North is also a better winger than Ashton. Just my own opinion.
I like the look of Wade though. It'd be good to see how he develops. Hope that he gets some opportunities with England soon.
Posted 12:08 19th September 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
Abendanon - same style of player and outstanding at the moment
Posted 10:45 19th September 2012
Centre12 says...
Ahhh this is not good, I do however feel that Brown is more than up to the challenge and it will be good to see how he gets on with a string of starts for England, injury aside I would probably still start with Brown at #15 and Foden on the Wing as England are still in need of a world class wing to partner Ashton.
Posted 09:38 19th September 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Tut, after reading the headline I was hoping Una was single again!
Posted 09:31 19th September 2012