Caps before cash - Foden

Published: Wednesday, 23. November, 2011 in category Northampton
Foden: Not focused on money

Leaked reports into England's failed World Cup campaign contain claims that members of the national squad were "more focused on money rather than getting the rugby right".

But Foden told Sky Sports: "For me it's all about playing for your country. There's no prouder moment for me.

"As a kid growing up and watching England play and seeing the legends that have played in the shirt before. Putting on a white shirt and running out at Twickenham or to play Australia or New Zealand, that's the honour for me.

"Some people are going to look at things in different ways but that's just people you can't really change that."

Detailed contents from the reviews undertaken by the RFU, the Rugby Players' Association and the Aviva Premiership clubs appeared across eight pages in The Times.

The reports contain quotes from RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew and unnamed players which paint the picture of a disunited squad, riven by a lack of trust under the leadership of a management team out of their depth.

One comment which emerged from the RPA report was that some players felt the standard of coaching and match preparation was better with their Premiership clubs.

That was a damning indictment of Martin Johnson's management team, who all came in for fierce criticism apart from the scrum coach Graham Rowntree.

RPA chief executive Damian Hopley is furious the documents were leaked and Foden concurred.

But Foden, 26, stressed the key point is that the RFU take on board the player feedback as they plan for the next four years in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

"Those reports were done so we could communicate back to the RFU on players' opinions and thoughts," Foden said.

"Hopefully it can be used positively and we'll see a few changes from it.

"The key part of the whole process is we learn from it and hopefully get better from the whole situation."