Sale have confirmed that their talented utility back Ben Foden will join Guinness Premiership hopefuls Northampton next season.

Foden (pictured) who can play scrum-half, full-back or wing, has agreed to the switch in order to further his career at number nine, where he has had limited playing opportunities at Sale.

In his 35 starts for the Sharks, only eight have been at scrum-half.

The Sharks have mostly played the England U21 player at full-back and such are his talents that he has still managed to catch the eye of the England selectors in his less favoured position.

Had it not been for a long-term shoulder injury, Foden would likely have made England coach Brian Ashton's squad for the current Six Nations.

Foden has had to compete with England international Richard Wigglesworth and Sililo Martens for the Sale scrum-half jersey.

The 22-year-old's opportunities would have been even more restricted next season with the arrival of Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel at Edgeley Park.

"Northampton has always been a good club and a good set-up and under Jim (Mallinder) and Dorian (West) they will be going a long way," said Foden.

"It is going to be a fresh start for me and a fantastic opportunity for me to make the scrum-half shirt my own.

"I'm ambitious to play for England in that position. To do that you need to be playing there for your club at the highest level and I firmly believe that in the next few years Northampton will be heading up the Premiership and be in the Heineken Cup.

"Sale will always be close to my heart but I've reached the point in my career where I need to move on. Being at Northampton will be an exciting challenge but is one that I'm looking forward to."

Northampton are currently in National Division One but are almost certain to be back in the top flight next season. The Saints have won all 22 league matches this season and are 14 points clear at the top of the table.

"I am disappointed that Ben will not be staying with us and I wish him well in his career," said Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre.

"I have two international scrum halves in Richard Wigglesworth and Dwayne Peel and was unable to promise Ben games at scrum half which is his chosen position."

Foden will be joining Sale team-mate Chris Mayor at Northampton next season following the centre's decision to also move to Franklin's Gardens.

Since making his debut in 2004, Foden has played in a total of 52 games for the Sharks and scored 10 tries.

He is expected to make his comeback from the shoulder injury next month.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport