Full-back Foden delighted to silence his critics in the Stade de France rain

Against France, he proved it with a full-back performance which gave England rugby genuine hope for the future.

For good measure, the Northampton star raced in for the only try of the match as England earned the plaudits despite France clinching the grand slam at a sodden Stade de France.

Foden should have been there from the start of the Six Nations and it was no coincidence that England's best performance of a tournament in which they finished third came when he and club-mate Chris Ashton joined Mark Cueto in a back three possessing genuine speed and desire.

It was 24-year-old Foden's fourth cap and his first start for England at full-back and his handling skills were severely tested by the French, who launched a high-ball blitz when the Paris heavens opened.

Foden said: "Personally I always thought it was one of my strengths under the high ball. Jim (Mallinder, Northampton coach) and people at the club have always said so. If people want to write me off and say I'm weak under the high ball, I've just got to prove them wrong and it was a great stage to do that and luckily things went my way.

"It's another step up from Premiership rugby, the intensity, the hits, the speed of the game and 82,000 people watching, it's a hell of a stage to be on.

"I really enjoyed it. As soon as the whistle goes it's just another game of rugby. I just try to do the things I do well and, hopefully, take my chances when they arrive."

That happened as early as the fifth minute, a swift shift of the ball along the England three-quarters allowing Foden to make the overlap on the left wing to take a pass from Ashton for a touchdown which breathed confidence into Martin Johnson's embattled side.

"I was delighted to get on the scoreboard, especially with Ash passing me the ball," said Foden.

It could have been different if Foden had found Cueto with a pass in the second half with the line begging.

England had to be settle for a penalty from full-back Jonny Wilkinson – the only score of the half as France held on.