21 Facts About Ben Foden

Benjamin James Foden was born on 22 July 1985 and is an English rugby union player who plays for Rugby United New York in Major League Rugby.

Ben Foden's Bromsgrove School teacher Paul Mullan was a big influence on his career, as was his father, Rob, who coached Ben and brother Tom's youth team.

Ben Foden's career has been divided between playing at scrum-half and fullback, though he can operate on the wing.

Ben Foden played for Cheshire and North of England U16s, and England U16s.

Ben Foden then went on to play for England U19s, and England Counties.

Ben Foden gained his nickname of "Pop Idol" or "Pops" by missing the first day of pre-season with the Sharks for an audition on the programme.

Ben Foden began his Northampton Saints career competing with Lee Dickson for the scrum half position; Dickson won the battle for the scrum half shirt, and Northampton frequently used Foden at full back.

In March 2011, following a Saints win over Wasps, Ben Foden was arrested following an altercation with a taxi driver in London, but both Northampton and the RFU were happy to let the issue lie after he accepted a police caution.

In May 2014, Ben Foden won the Aviva Premiership title with Northampton, playing 80 minutes plus extra time in the final against Saracens at full back and scoring a try.

Ben Foden was included in the England U21s team for the 2005 Six Nations and World Championships, and the 2006 Six Nations and World Championship.

Ben Foden was a member of the 2006 Grand Slam winning England U21 squad, playing in all five matches and notching up three tries.

Ben Foden went on to play at the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship later that year, sharing the number 9 jersey with Danny Care.

Ben Foden was included in the England squad for the 2009 summer tour against the Barbarians and Argentina and made his first start for England in the uncapped game against the Barbarians on 30 May 2009, a game which saw him playing on the wing and scoring a try in the 32nd minute.

Ben Foden retained his starting place for the summer tour to Australia, playing with club colleague Chris Ashton.

Ben Foden featured as a replacement in an uncapped game for England against the New Zealand Maori side.

Ben Foden was a key member of the side that beat Australia twice in 2010 and started all of England's Six Nations games as they came up short of a Grand Slam in 2011.

Ben Foden gained more metres in the 2011 6 Nations than any other player in the Championship.

Ben Foden was selected for England's 2011 World Cup squad, holding off the challenge of Delon Armitage to retain the fullback shirt during England's disappointing campaign.

In October 2019, Ben Foden was a contestant in The X Factor: Celebrity as a member of the group, Try Star, alongside Levi Davis and Thom Evans.

In October 2021, it was announced that Ben Foden would be participating in the fourteenth series of Dancing on Ice.

Ben Foden married Una Healy of girl group The Saturdays on 30 June 2012 in her native Ireland.