With England beginning their RBS 6 Nations campaign on home soil against Scotland on 2 February, Foden wants England to hit the ground running.

And the 27-year-old full-back insists England must secure the RBS 6 Nations crown if they are to be considered in the same breath as the Grand Slam-winning 2003 side – who used success in the championship as a springboard to World Cup triumph.

“The New Zealand win shows clearly that when we go out and perform to the best of our ability, we can beat the best in the world,” said the Northampton Saints man.

“Let's be honest. England didn't just nick it, they controlled that game and won pretty comfortably. The boys played with grit, determination and aggression.

“They went toe to toe with 15 of the best players in the world, dominated them physically and tactically, and put them to the sword.

“We take massive confidence from that as a squad, but that win in itself is not enough. We now have to separate ourselves from the rest of the Six Nations.

“That 2003 side were sticking 40 points on the other home unions, not just winning but pulling away. They put themselves up on a pedestal and the rest of the world thought ‘wow’.

“When you start doing that, as New Zealand have in the southern hemisphere, you are singled out as the best.

“That’s what we need to do in the northern hemisphere. Win a Six Nations or a Grand Slam. That has to be the next step for this England team.”