Foden ready for tough test

Northampton full-back Ben Foden believes last season's failure will spur the Saints on in Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final against Perpignan.

Last year the England international and his team-mates were tipped for glory in both the European Cup and Premiership, although their dreams were left in tatters after two defeats in quick succession. First they lost to Munster in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, before they were dumped out of the Premiership play-offs by Saracens.

"Last year, tasting the disappointment of losing in the quarter-finals and also the semi-finals at home against Saracens, was a pill we found hard to swallow," said Foden. "But hopefully we will remember it and know how important it is because we don't want to feel that again, especially as we have a home draw against a very professional and good outfit in Perpignan."

Foden added: "Last year everybody was talking about us, saying that we had a good chance of going on and winning things.

"And then it all stopped very suddenly for us, so we know how quickly it is taken away.

"We need to enjoy and savour every moment of this and make sure we keep ourselves in the competitions for as long as possible.

"You play the game for these sorts of moments, otherwise you would not be a professional rugby player.

"And, especially for me, the Heineken Cup is something I've always wanted to be involved in. I've always wanted to win it.

"This is the furthest stage I have ever been to, so this is probably going to be one of the biggest games I've ever played in at club rugby level.

"Hopefully things will turn out a little bit differently to last year and we will be taking some silverware home."