The Time for Excuses Is Over: Ben Foden On England's Six Nations Hopes
The Time for Excuses Is Over: Ben Foden On England's Six Nations Hopes
Ben Foden calls for England to reclaim pride, back Marcus Smith and make Twickenham a fortress ahead of a crucial Six Nations campaign.
As the Six Nations approaches, the pressure on England has reached boiling point.
Steve Borthwick’s tenure as head coach has had time to mature, and former Northampton Saints and England fullback Ben Foden believes the time for excuses is well and truly over.
In an exclusive interview with Instant Casino, Foden offered a sharp critique of England’s recent performances and a clear vision for the road ahead.
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Foden hailed the decision to hand Maro Itoje the captaincy, calling it a “statement of intent” for England’s ambitions.
“Maro has earned this role," Foden said. "He’s a totemic figure and a leader by example. You can’t have your captain being taken off after 45 minutes, as has been the case with Jamie George. With Maro, you’ve got someone who will shoulder the responsibility and thrive under it.”
For Foden, the choice of a second-row captain evokes memories of England's greats.
“Steve Borthwick himself captained England, and Martin Johnson was one of the finest captains we’ve ever had," Foden added. "Having a second row in charge sets the tone for physicality and dominance. It’s a great move.”
But the opening fixture against Ireland will set the tone for the tournament.
“That’s a marker game,” Foden insisted. “If England can win that, especially in Dublin, it gives them the momentum with three home games to come.”
England’s recent struggles at Twickenham have drawn scrutiny, with Foden revealing an autumn team meeting addressed the issue.
“Alex Mitchell told me they discussed why England don’t perform as well at Twickenham as they should," he said. "It’s become too corporate, with fans who don’t always understand the game. But as players, that shouldn’t matter. It’s about pride and mindset.”
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For Foden, restoring Twickenham’s intimidating aura is essential.
“No away team should come to Twickenham with smiles on their faces," Foden said. "It should cost them dearly. During my time with England, between 2009-2011, we didn’t lose many home games. There was a sense of pride and an edge that needs to creep back into this side.”
That edge, Foden believes, is not just physical but mental.
“It’s about being niggly, playing with bite," he said. "If that means the odd player ends up in the sin bin, so be it. There has to be that extra level of aggression at home.”
One of Foden’s sharpest criticisms was aimed at England’s lack of tactical clarity, particularly on defense. He also pointed to the positional experimentation with Marcus Smith as an example of muddled thinking.
“You can’t keep experimenting," Foden said. "Mixed messages lead to mistakes, and that erodes trust. What players need is a clear, consistent defensive plan they can hang their hat on.
“Switching Marcus to fullback just to keep him on the field was a mistake. He doesn’t play 15 regularly, and you could see it in his decision-making. If you’ve got a specialist fullback like Freddie Steward, who’s playing brilliantly, you stick with him.”
Despite some criticism, Foden is unequivocal in his praise for Marcus Smith, and he compared Smith’s situation to the All Blacks’ handling of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga.
“Marcus is a genuine game-changer," Foden said. "He’s one of the best players in the world right now. England needs his spark and creativity.
"New Zealand tried moving Barrett to fullback to accommodate Mo’unga, but it didn’t work. England needs to learn from that.”
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While Foden acknowledged the talent of Finn Smith, he sees the young fly-half as more of a steadying influence off the bench.
“Finn is a marshaller, but Marcus is the spark," Foden suggested. "At the moment, England needs energy and flair, and Marcus provides that.”
With France and Ireland still the favorites, Foden believes England can be in the mix if the team gets the basics right.
“There are four teams capable of winning this championship, and England has to be one of them," Foden said. "But it starts with mindset and clarity. The time for excuses is over.”
As the Six Nations looms, Foden’s words resonate with a clear challenge for Borthwick and his players: bring the bite back to Twickenham, solidify their identity and unleash the game-changing talent of Marcus Smith. England’s campaign will be a proving ground, and the rugby world will be watching closely.
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