Ben Foden eyeing road to Rio with Team GB Sevens
Foden, whose formative years at Sale saw him represent England 7s between 2006 and 2008, believes Team GB should follow the examples of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa by bringing in experience from the 15-man game.
He told The Rugby Paper: “I would grab it with both hands. I watched the 7s the other week and saw Bryan Habana, Quade Cooper, Liam Messam and Sonny Bill Williams going back and I absolutely loved my time in 7s when I was there.
“I’d probably have to consider a position change and play in the front-row, but if asked I’d definitely give it a crack and I’d enjoy the challenge.
“As well as England have done in the past couple of years, when you go into these big competitions and see nations bringing in ringers, you’ve got to look at bringing in some experience from the 15-a-side game.
“You’ve got to look at the likes of Christian Wade. Get someone like him on a 7s pitch and he’s going to cause people problems. Guys like him should definitely be considered and I’d love to put my hand up for the Olympics as well.”
Foden’s senior Test career has stalled since he won the last of his 34 England caps against New Zealand in November 2013.
A combination of serious injuries and Mike Brown‘s sheer consistency saw to that, but Foden is fit and firing again in a more expansive Saints team and feels ready to stake another Test claim ahead of England’s summer tours.
He said: “Any opportunity to represent England at any level I’d take, whether it’s Saxons, 7s or the full England side. Those opportunities only come up now and again but I’m playing with confidence and enjoying my rugby.
“I’m a similar age to Mike Brown, Alex Goode and Chris Pennell, while there are younger guys like Mike Haley, Simon Hammersley and Rob Miller playing well, so there’s huge competition.
“When Eddie Jones picked his Six Nations squad he told me what he wanted, which is for me to be more of a counter-attacking threat, and it’s been good to be getting on the score-sheet again.”
Foden’s Test hopes will be boosted if Saints nail down a top four spot and beat Saracens in next week’s Champions Cup last eight.
He added: “Saracens showed what a good outfit they are by putting Exeter to the sword but we enjoy going to Allianz Park. They’ve always been feisty fixtures between us and, after playing Wasps, we’ll be quick to change the focus for next week.
“The Champions Cup is the only competition I haven’t won so it would be nice to sneak through the back door and put ourselves in the frame for an all-English semi-final against Wasps or Exeter.”
