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 now welcome Australia, Japan and New Zealand to London before the finals weekend at the end of the month.
A genuine talent with the ball in hand, Hendy says he has been working hard at all parts of his game after conversations 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 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.”
Hendy says he is inspired by the example of his Northampton team-mates, with Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, Alex Coles, Alex Mitchell, Henry Pollock and Fraser Dingwall among those to become England stalwarts.
“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.
“And then you get to see them and you’re hearing all about the stories. I just want to be a part of that as well.
“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.
“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.”
