Ben Foden to leave Northampton Saints and reach landmark in final game

Photo: (Getty Images)
By Jake Jones
Northampton Saints have confirmed that full-back Ben Foden will be leaving the club at the end of the 2017/18 season.
The 32-year-old will hope to round off a decade at Franklin’s Gardens in style by making his 250th appearance in Black, Green and Gold in the final game of the Premiership campaign.
Foden will lead out Northampton on his final appearance as Saints host Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
“I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to represent Northampton Saints almost 250 times,” said Foden.
“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.”
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.
He was instrumental in Northampton’s spectacular run to the Heineken Cup final in 2011 which ended in defeat to Leinster, despite his try in the first half of that epic clash.
“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.”
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 to 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.