Ben Foden's try helped Saints to a bonus-point win over Sale Sharks

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder has insisted full-back Ben Foden is now a world-class performer who deserves a Lions tour to South Africa.

The 23-year-old scored one of the Saints' four tries in Saturday's crushing 38-3 victory over Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership.

Mallinder said: "No-one from the Lions has spoken to me yet, but I'm sure Ben's efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

"He just keeps backing up world-class performances," he added.

"It's just a bit of a shame that England's Six Nations campaign is nearly over.

"But Ben knows exactly what he's got to do. I don't think the Lions should look too much further than him."

Northampton's bonus-point victory at Franklin's Gardens leaves them in eighth place in the Premiership table, ahead of next Sunday's trip to London Irish (22 March, 1430 GMT).

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