Northampton boss Dowson backs flying winger Hendy for England Nations Championship call-up

Northampton Saints head coach Phil Dowson has called for George Hendy to be handed his first senior England cap, backing the 24-year-old winger for a place in Steve Borthwick’s squad for next month’s Nations Championship. England face Australia, Japan and New Zealand before a finals weekend at Twickenham.

Hendy, who was born in Warwick and has previously represented England at Under-20 and A level, has been in electric form this season — scoring four tries in his last three club appearances. His campaign also includes two tries in last season’s Gallagher Premiership Final victory over Exeter Chiefs.

His most recent performance, a Champions Cup win over Cardiff, drew particular praise from Dowson. Hendy crossed for a try, set up another, and produced a try-saving tackle on Wales winger Josh Adams that prompted a visible celebration from Dowson in the coaches’ box.

“I think he deserves to be considered for England,” Dowson told RugbyPass ahead of this weekend’s East Midlands derby against Leicester. “There’ll be two wings at Leicester, if not three, who would also be in that conversation, and they’ve got people like Tommy Freeman and Manny Feyi-Waboso and a few other lads as well. So there’s lots of players, it’s very competitive, but we’re really hopeful that George is in those conversations, and I’m sure he is.”

Dowson was emphatic about the standard Hendy has reached. “To play for England, you have to be very, very good. And I think that he is.”

The Saints coach also highlighted the deliberate work Hendy has put into his game during the off-season. “Some of the stuff that he’s been working on in his own game has been really evident — his defensive organisation, his defensive positioning, his actual contact, collision defence. His high ball work is excellent. And I think you saw his athleticism at the weekend.”

With England’s Nations Championship fixtures approaching, Borthwick faces a crowded selection picture on the wings, but Dowson’s public endorsement ensures Hendy’s name will be firmly in the conversation.