Foden's chance to overturn France

HE could just be the je ne sais quoi of English rugby.

If Ben Foden does step out under the lights of the Stade de France on Saturday, it will come with a huge sigh of relief from many of his devoted fans.

His presence won’t save England’s Six Nations campaign by any stretch of the imagination, but if light is to emerge at the end of the World Cup tunnel, there might be hope still if Foden is to finally make his first public appearance as England's full time full back.

Mathew Tait was tipped to fill the position after his World Cup final display in Paris two-and-a-half-years ago, but like Foden, he has had to endure the cold shoulder before he could once again prove his metal.

Tait’s ambitions to make the full back vacancy his own fell short after his move to Sale, and since moving back to his favoured outside centre position, it seems he has finally hurdled a barrage of ill confidence from the England selection team.

Foden experienced the same self examination a year ago, going through a stint at scrum half for his club side Northampton.

That position ended up in the hands of Harlequin’s Danny Care, a decision which is also up for debate.

From experience, England players in alien positions have all come to dead ends. Ugo Monye’s tenure at full back wasn’t welcomed by all and nor did he welcome the chance he was given to run the ball from deep.

Jonny Wilkinson’s show at inside centre was also a onetime fad, and even Joe Worsley's spell at open-side 12-months ago was more tactical than revelatory.

Foden expressed a desire to shake up England’s back division after his teammates stumbled to a win in Italy four weeks ago.

Half-an-hour from the man at Murrayfield on Saturday more than made up for a tournament overrun by mediocre kicking displays.

Scotland held for a draw against their Calcutta rivals, but if Foden was to gain his first start from full back for England next week, he could bring a fresh dimension to their so far fruitless display.

France have since run riot against the Italians in a 46-20 trouncing over their neighbours at the Stade.

And a look at French ethics on Saturday, one thing is certain – England will have to be more creative if they are to overcome Paris.

They will be up against a backline insatiable when it comes to the try line.

Clement Poitrenaud – outright contender for the full back of the tournament – will need a harder, meatier opposition to contain his quick reaction running style.

Up the jumper tactics will not be enough against a French pack enriched with muscle and experience, while England require a man willing to remove their rigid game plan and play with the guts and desire to run the ball.

A player to throw out the rule book in the England training camp, and prepared to break the mould.

England have failed to nurture such a man in recent years. Ben Foden, however, has been knocking at the door for a long, long time.