Foden urges Saints to impress again in '˜massive' Tigers showdown

Ben Foden has called on Saints to produce another spirited performance in Saturday's '˜massive' derby clash with Leicester Tigers.
Ben Foden knows Saturday's clash with Leicester is huge for Saints (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)Ben Foden knows Saturday's clash with Leicester is huge for Saints (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)
Ben Foden knows Saturday's clash with Leicester is huge for Saints (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Jim Mallinder’s men, shorn of a number of star men, dominated for long spells at Saracens last weekend, heading in at the break 10-6 up after a fantastic first-half display.

They were eventually beaten 29-20 as Sarries stormed back to claim the win against the injury-ravaged side.

But Saints had reason to be proud of their performance and they will now turn their attentions to the one remaining trophy on offer: the Aviva Premiership.

“I’m proud of the boys, we did well to stick it with them,” said Foden of last weekend’s display.

“They’ve got to be fancied to win the competition and fair play to them for getting the victory.

“But we can take a lot of merit from that performance.”

Fifth-placed Saints need to beat Leicester, who sit four points ahead of Mallinder’s men in the standings, if they are to retain hope of reaching the play-offs for the seventh successive season.

And Foden said: “This week’s massive.

“We’re fighting it out with Leicester for that fourth spot and if we can win it, it could be advantage us going into the last two weeks of the season.

“We’ve regrouped, rested a bit and hopefully a few boys can get over their injuries a bit.

“Hopefully we can field a team that can really test Leicester this weekend.”

Foden captained Saints at Saracens last weekend, but he was forced off with a groin injury in the 47th minute and could be a doubt for the Tigers tussle.

He said: “I had a little groin injury and it’s always difficult trying to run that off.

“I spoke to the physios and said I couldn’t reach top speed so there’s no point in trying to fight on.

“Young Harry Mallinder came on and did a great job.”

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