Northampton's Jim Mallinder reckons full-back Ben Foden should go on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer.
Boss sings praises of starring full-back
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder reckons full-back Ben Foden has what it takes to go on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer.
Foden responded to his omission from England's Six Nations squad by tormenting Sale's defence at Franklin's Gardens, also scoring a try as the home side won 38-3 - their biggest Guinness Premiership win of the season.
"He backs up performances week after week and I can only say that we are delighted to have him on our side," Mallinder said.
"But for the lad, in terms of his England aspirations, I feel sorry for him because he's showed that he's good enough to play at the next stage.
"In terms of everything he does it's fantastic and he's backed it up again today. I can only hope that the British Lions are watching him.
"When he gets released from the England squad he's disappointed but Ben doesn't get down very easily.
"He takes it all in his stride and, as he keeps saying to me, all he can do is keep playing, going out there and doing his very best and that's what he keeps doing."
Injury problems
Sale's defeat came in a match they started without 12 frontline players - their injury problems also mounting during its course.
Replacement hooker Marc Jones tore a knee cartilage in the warm-up and lock Dean Schofield (groin), scrum-half Chris Leck (ribs), centre Chris Bell (hamstring), full-back Rory Lamont (ankle) and prop Rob O'Donnell (twisted ankle) were injured during the game.
Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones described the defeat as "one of the darkest days in my rugby experience".
"I'm usually someone who looks on the positives but there's not a lot I can do in this situation," he said.
"It was a bad day all round."
Jones nevertheless joined the praise for Foden, adding: "It was going to be a day for Ben, he was either going to be the best player on the field or the worst player on the field.
"But the script was a Northampton win and Ben was the best player on the field which doesn't surprise me at all because we know what a threat he is.
"We were hoping he would be with England to be honest. He was the difference in the two teams, simple as that, he created all the tries.
"Even if he wasn't passing the ball to score the try he was breaking the defensive line before that."
