Aviva Premiership
Foden excited by North link-up
ESPN Staff
April 9, 2013
Scarlets winger George North, Northampton Saints v Scarlets, Anglo-Welsh Cup, Franklin's Gardens, Northampton, England, November 18, 2011
George North will swap the PRO12 for the Premiership next season © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Ben Foden | George North
Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12

Northampton fullback Ben Foden has welcomed his side's signing of Scarlets winger George North and backed the Wales international to have a big impact on the Aviva Premiership stage.

The Saints have signed North on a three-year deal with the 20-year-old set to make the switch to Franklin's Gardens in the summer. He is just the latest high-profile signing made by Northampton boss Jim Mallinder with England prop Alex Corbisiero and Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i having already committed their futures to the Premiership club.

Foden has welcomed the injection of world-class talent that he hopes will also benefit his own game having lost his England place in recent months. "Bringing a big name like George to the club will do wonders," Foden told BBC Radio Northampton. "He's a great player - a monster of a man. Hopefully I can work my magic and create some opportunities for him."

Northampton have arguably lacked a little firepower since winger Chris Ashton's move to Premiership rivals Saracens last year and North certainly has the credentials to redress the balance with nine tries in 10 RaboDirect PRO12 games this season and having also played a key role in Wales' back-to-back Six Nations titles.

"Hopefully he'll make a few holes for myself when players are thinking 'who are we going to tackle?'," said Foden. "When you play with good players you get an understanding and that was something I created with Ashton - we learned about each other inside and out.

"That is something I hope to do with George. I look forward to creating that bond and causing defences a lot of problems."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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