ENGLAND’S Ben Foden is hoping Martin Johnson will tell his side to shake off their shackles in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final showdown with France.

That is according to the Chester-born star’s father Rob, who is in New Zealand to cheer on his son.

The former Chester RUFC head coach told The Chronicle: “The players are focused on winning and they are given a game plan by the coaching staff which has so far led to four (victories) out of four.

“Let’s just hope we launch our real challenge for the cup against the French and play with some width – I know the back three are hoping for these instructions!

“Although we are winning we are not exactly entertaining anyone apart from the last 15 minutes of the match when the scoreboard becomes the main focus.”

Foden Jr and England sealed top spot in Pool B and their place in the last eight with a dour 16-12 success over Scotland at a rain-lashed Eden Park last Saturday.

The victory, secured with a late try from Foden’s Northampton Saints team-mate Chris Ashton, sent the Scots crashing out of the tournament and means 2003 winners England have the chance of becoming the first nation to reach three successive finals.

Rob, whose family home is in Cholmondeley, said: “I and all of the fans I spoke to were disappointed in the way that England approached the game tactically, and think we will be far more effective when we return to the game plan that won us the Six Nations title.”

England’s World Cup campaign has been dogged by below-par performances and off-the-field controversy. But the team awaiting them when they return to Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday are in worse shape.

Beset by infighting, the temperamental French limped into the quarter-finals despite suffering an embarrassing 19-14 loss to Tonga last weekend.

Rob said: “The England team hotel was slightly subdued on Saturday night, partly from tiredness and partly from disappointment that they did not dominate the game in the way that they had intended.

“But the job was done and the mood in the camp is that they all know they have got much better rugby in the side and they are looking forward to the French.

“What can you say about the French? Everyone knows what they are capable off but so far they have not produced. Let’s hope it’s too late for them now.”

Fullback Foden, 26, who started his career at Chester RUFC, was expected to be named in the back three when England head coach Johnson announced his starting line-up in the early hours of this morning.

Under-pressure Jonny Wilkinson – the hero of the semi-final wins over France in the last two World Cups – was likely to keep his place at fly-half instead of Toby Flood.

But Rob said: “Personally I think Toby has earned the right to get the shirt back, and this for me is one of the most critical selection issues in the team as it will dictate how we play.”

The England v France match kicks-off at 8.30am BST and will be shown live on ITV1.