Ben Foden: 'European exit could help Northampton Saints'

Ben Foden believes that Northampton's early exit from the Heineken Cup could help the club compete domestically.

Saints reached the final of the European competition last season but have been knocked out in the group stages this time around.

Despite being "disappointed" at his side's early withdrawal, Foden is hoping that could boost their chances in the Aviva Premiership.

"We are disappointed because we reached the final stages last year and we had such an impressive run to it that to start the campaign with three losses is a bit disheartening," Foden told Sky Sports News.

"But we'll learn from it and we can focus our attention on the Premiership now and it's probably the first occasion we've been able to do that with other competitions running.

"So this year we'll really knuckle down and hopefully you'll see us in the top four and then, hopefully, the final."

Saints are in action this afternoon against Bath Rugby.