England legend Jeremy Guscott: Saints' Ben Foden should start against France
Rugby legend Jeremy Guscott has pleaded with England manager Martin Johnson to pick Ben Foden at full-back for Saturday's Six Nations showdown with France - and to call up club-mates Courtney Lawes and Phil Dowson as well.
Former England and British Lions centre Guscott was left bewildered by the toothless performance of Johnson's men in their 15-15 Calcutta Cup draw with Scotland.
England once again failed to show any sort of attacking spark at Murrayfield, at least not until the introduction of Foden as a replacement for Delon Armitage 10 minutes into the second half.
And Guscott says it is now time to give the Saints star his first England start in Paris.
"England have lacked a go-to player since Jason Robinson retired and against Scotland, when Ben Foden was brought on at full-back for Armitage he brought a spark with him," said Guscott.
"The way Foden, at just 5ft 7ins, ran at Scotland's big lock Alastair Kellock, all 6ft 8ins and 18 stones of him, was more what I would have expected to see from the players England perceive to be their big ball-carriers - Steve Borthwick, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, James Haskell and Joe Worsley.
"Foden showed the forwards how it should be done in Test rugby.
"If I were picking the team to play France, Foden would start at full-back to provide the counter-attacking spark from the back which England have lacked for so long."
As well as a start for Foden, Guscott would also like to see Lawes and Dowson in the line-up to face the French.
"I would bring Courtney Lawes into the back row alongside his Northampton club-mate Phil Dowson at No.8," declared Guscott.
Former Saints ace and now BBC pundit Matt Dawson also wants to see Foden given his chance in Paris - as well as Saints wing sensation Chirs Ashton.
"Why not give other guys a chance?," said Dawson. "If Ugo Monye is struggling Chris Ashton has to be worth a go. I can't believe any other country would ignore someone who is scoring tries for fun like he is for Northampton.
"It was also noticeable how England picked up the pace of their game late on against Scotland, so replacements such as Flood and Ben Foden should be in the frame."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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