Goode comes through artificial inspection

Goode was making his first appearance in five weeks since sustaining a shoulder injury and emerged from his 56-minute spell on the club’s new artificial pitch at Allianz Park unscathed.

A second-half tackle by wing Owen Williams resulted in the 24-year-old landing heavily on the problematic left shoulder, but he was unharmed during the incident.

“I feel really good. There was a bit of apprehension – you always go into a situation like that a bit unsure at times,” he said.

“But I’d done all the training, I’d tested the shoulder to the max and the physios had done a great job. I felt 100 per cent going into the game and the shoulder came through really well. I was very happy.

“I was a bit winded after getting smashed by their winger, but I managed to carry on all right and the shoulder showed no effects after the game.

“It feels brilliant and I’m very confident going forward.”

Northampton coach Alan Dickens believes Ben Foden is getting back to “where he wants to be” after the full-back helped to keep his side on target for a fourth LV= Cup semi-final in five seasons.

Released by England after missing the autumn internationals because of an ankle injury, Dickens said Foden needs game time and he played the full 80 minutes in today’s 26-7 Pool Four win over Gloucester.

Tries from former Leeds backLuther Burrell and Alex Waller plus two penalties and a conversion each from Ryan Lamb and Stephen Myler saw Northampton ease to victory.

Academy manager Dickens: “Ben was impressive today, and he is getting back to where he wants to be. He needs to play games and get some game time under his belt.”

London Irish have every chance of qualifying for the semi-final after beating Worcester 46-24.