Hendy vows to force England selection ahead of Nations Championship
George Hendy said in an interview with BBC Sport on 22 October 2026 that he is determined to force his way into England contention ahead of next month's Nations Championship. The 24-year-old has scored 44 tries in 80 games for Northampton and is willing to play either on the wing or at 15 to boost his chances.
Hendy has been one of Northampton Saints' form players over recent seasons, contributing to Premiership final victories in 2024 and 2026. Several of his club-mates have become regulars for England, leaving Hendy to wait for his opportunity. He described himself as having to bide his time while watching team-mates earn international call-ups.
On his ambitions, Hendy said: "I just want to throw my hat in the ring for England and I'm really quite serious about that." He added that he would accept selection on the wing or at 15: "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."
Hendy said he has worked on all parts of his game following talks with England management. "I've known for a while what my work-ons are and it feels like the penny's finally dropping," he added. "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. "I've had a few [conversations with the England coaches]. 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."
He cited the progression of Northampton team-mates into international duty as extra motivation, naming Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fraser Dingwall. "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," Hendy said. He added: "I work well with Fin and Tommy Freeman and Mitch."
Hendy set out his personal aim for a place in camp and to test himself if selected. "My motivation is 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. "So 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."
England boss Steve Borthwick will name a training squad on Sunday in preparation for the November leg of the Nations Championship. Borthwick's side recovered from a chastening Six Nations to win two of their three summer matches and will host Australia, Japan and New Zealand in London before the finals weekend at the end of the month.