The elusive Northampton runner is viewed as a full-back who can play scrum-half, yet England have named him on the right wing for Saturday's clash with the Barbarians.

Eager to shoe-horn him into a side where Delon Armitage has an iron grip on the number 15 jersey, manager Martin Johnson wants to examine a prospect who was talked up as a potential Lion.

Far from being frustrated by his versatility, the 23-year-old views it as a strength and has no plans to concentrate on a single position.

Healey performed a similar role for England throughout his 51 caps and Foden is happy to be talked of in the same breath as the outspoken former Lion, nicknamed the 'Leicester Lip'.

"My dad is massive on picking a position and sticking with it otherwise he fears someone will overtake me - some young guy coming through who's willing to take a chance and who will leave me behind," he said.

"Austin Healey is a great example of a guy who had a great career being versatile.

"He won loads of caps, went on a Lions tour and is one of the guys I'm getting compared to.

"If I finish with a career like Austin Healey then I'll be more than happy.

"Austin's his own man and I'm happy being compared to him as a player.

"I'll take it one step at a time and get my foot through the door. I just want to play for England, whether that's 14, 15 or nine."

Scrum-half remains Foden's preferred position and it was his determination to play there that prompted him to swap Sale for Saints last summer.

But he accepts a general consensus has formed that his best position is full-back where his pace and power breaking from deep are at their most dangerous.

"Saints still want me to train as a nine and will throw me a game every now and again to keep me fresh and make sure my skills remain intact," he said.

"But first and foremost I'm a full-back and that's where they think I'll do most damage at the club.

"I've shown I can play in more than one position and when I play wing on Saturday I can show I can play a third.

"Brian Smith (England backs coach) is looking for a lot of versatility from his backs, especially his back three."