Foden out of Gloucester clash as RFU ask for him to be rested

The full-back was released by England earlier this week, but will play no part in the crucial Premiership clash at Franklin’s Gardens as the RFU want him to rest.

Foden has played 10 games on the spin for Saints since returning from an ankle injury picked up at Bath on September 14. He underwent an operation for ligament damage, and missed 10 games.

Ken Pisi will be in the Northampton line-up, though, as the Samoan wing has recovered from the ankle injury he sustained at Exeter on January 5.

Pisi slots back in at 14, with James Wilson moving to 15 to cover for the absent Foden.

Christian Day misses the game as he has been suspended for three weeks for a stamping offence in the 28-19 LV= Cup defeat at Exeter last weekend.

There are seven changes in all for Saints, with Soane Tonga’uiha, Samu Manoa, Phil Dowson, Lee Dickson, Stephen Myler, George Pisi and Ken Pisi back in.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi; Waldouck, Elliott; Myler, Dickson; Tonga’uiha, Haywood, Mercey; Manoa, Sorenson; Dowson, Nutley, van Velze.

Replacements: McMillan, A Waller, Doran-Jones, Craig, Oakley, Roberts, Lamb, May.