George Hendy has scored 44 tries in 80 appearances for Northampton but has yet to break into the England squad. With the Nations Championship matches looming next month, the 24-year-old winger is determined to change that.
Hendy has been a consistent performer for Northampton, contributing crucially to their Premiership final wins in 2024 and 2026. Yet, while several of his teammates have become regular England internationals, Hendy has had to wait for his chance.
"I just want to throw my hat in the ring for England and I'm really quite serious about that," Hendy told BBC Sport. "Whether that's on the wing or at 15, whatever gives me the best opportunity to get into that squad, I want to take it, and I am pretty happy with the direction I am going in."
England head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to name a training squad on Sunday as preparations begin for the November leg of the Nations Championship. England will host Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in London before the finals weekend at the end of the month.
After a difficult Six Nations campaign, England managed to win two of their three summer fixtures. Hendy has been working on all aspects of his game following discussions with the England management. "I've known for a while what my work-ons are and it feels like the penny's finally dropping," he said.
Hendy believes his ability to beat defenders and finish tries remains his strongest asset. "I think my USP is being able to beat defenders and being able to finish tries. And just because I'm working on other things doesn't mean I stop working on that, so I know that if I keep doing that stuff ball in hand whilst touching up the other aspects of my game I'll be in a pretty good spot."
He has held several conversations with England coaches and, alongside Northampton’s staff, understands what he needs to improve to reach the next level. "Myself and the Saints coaches know exactly what I need to do to kick on to that next level and all I can do is do that on the weekends," Hendy added.
Seeing his Northampton teammates Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock, and Fraser Dingwall establish themselves with England has given Hendy extra motivation. "That makes me want it even more, I think, seeing your mates going and putting on an England shirt and doing what they love doing and representing their country," he said.
Hendy also feels confident about the environment he would find within the England camp. "I know that with them in camp, it'll be a good environment. I'll know who I can rely on. I work well with Fin and Tommy Freeman and Mitch. All those things, I think, can strengthen my opportunity if I get the chance, so that is what I am going for."
His motivation is simple. "I just don't want to die wondering. I want to at least go into camp and experience it and if I do crack under the pressure of camp then I know that I've still got work to do. But it's one of those where you don't know until you get given the opportunity whether you can or you can't."
Hendy plans to keep pushing at club level and let the international call-ups come if they do. "I'm just going to keep putting my best foot forward here and if international call-ups happen they happen and if not, I know I'm not doing a good enough job."
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