LIFE could not be sweeter for rugby star Ben Foden after he became a father for the first time just days after scoring a try for England in Paris.

The Chester-born player was allowed to leave England’s Six Nations training camp on Tuesday so he could be with his pop star fiancee Una Healy for the birth of Aoife Belle, who was delivered by caesarean section at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

The new arrival, whose first name translates as ‘beauty’ in Gaelic, weighed in at 7lb 13oz. Her second name is taken from Ben’s mum Jenny’s maiden name.

Jenny and Ben’s dad Rob travelled south from their home in Cholmondeley on Tuesday to see their new grandchild.

Rob said: “Everything boomed at once, with the rugby and the baby.

“Everyone is fine and dandy. Aoife has got dark hair, Una is fine and Ben is strutting around!”

Ben was due to rejoin his England team-mates last night to continue preparing for this Saturday’s match against Ireland at Twickenham (5pm).

Stuart Lancaster’s men retain an outside chance of winning the Six Nations title having overcome France in Paris on Saturday, with Ben scoring one of the tries in a tense 24-22 victory.

The 26-year-old, who began his rugby career with Chester Rugby Club, now plays for Northampton Saints and lives in Hertfordshire.