Foden keeping quiet this time (From The Northern Echo)

Foden keeping quiet this time

8:00am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Sport

Ben Foden is ready to renew cross-border hostilities when England tackle Wales in Saturday's "crunch" RBS Six Nations showdown - but this year he will keeping his mouth shut.

Twelve months ago, Foden intensified a war of words between the two camps by proclaiming in his match-day newspaper column: "We are England, we are the big country, we are going to put these guys in their place."

England did win at the Millennium Stadium - a result which launched their successful RBS Six Nations title campaign - but Foden's comments left a bitter taste west of the Severn Bridge.

The Northampton full-back enjoyed the intensity of the occasion - but every time he logs on to Twitter this week he gets another of what is in store on Saturday.

"I'm obviously not their favourite person after last year's comments," Foden said.

"Have you been on my Twitter page? With social media nowadays it makes us that much more accessible and the Welsh make their views very forward and blunt.

"It's good that people can get very patriotic about it. The build-up to last year's game was brilliant.

"The hype surrounding the game made it that more dramatic.

"Obviously, England managed to get a victory so it was all pats on the back and high fives after the game.

"This year I'm sure there'll be a lot of hostility between the two sides. Being the crunch game it should make for an interesting spectacle."

Foden is not in a position of strength when it comes to pre-match jibes, having been complicit in both Italy tries at the Stadio Olimpico two weekends ago.

England hit back from nine points down to win 19-15 but Foden has been stewing over his mistakes - particularly the intercepted pass for Italy's second try - ever since and he is desperate to make amends.

"I didn't have my best game in Italy. It took quite a bit of time to get over it because I went home and watched the video," Foden said.

"Hopefully I can make up for that."

Wales have managed just one victory at Twickenham since 1988 and they will arrive as favourites, having built on their World Cup semi-final appearance with wins against Ireland and Scotland.

Warren Gatland's men have scored six tries so far and they have attacked with a pace and a power superior to anything England managed to produce against Scotland or Italy.

But Foden is bullish. He believes England can unleash an attacking game that will hurt Wales and lay down a marker for what Stuart Lancaster's new-look team could become.

Lee Dickson has been promoted to inject some energy and tempo at scrum half and number eight Ben Morgan will look to carry England over the advantage line.

Geoff Parling will also make his first Test start as England look to tidy up their lineout, while fit-again Manu Tuilagi waits to make an impact off the bench.

"We will definitely be looking to take it to them at the weekend," Foden said.

"We want to expose them and challenge them defensively, and we're confident that our defence can shut them down. We know they are big boys but we'll just have to tackle them low.

"Owen Farrell at inside centre gives us another ball-player who can create things.

"We want to play a wide game but the elements haven't really permitted that. In the first two fixtures and we haven't really showed our hand."