LINDLEY Swifts first-team player Sam Hendrick has been rewarded with a call-up for the England Under 18 rugby league squad.

The teenage full-back has been a regular for Huddersfield Giants’ Under 18s Academy side during the summer and will now join the national squad preparing to play in France next month.

Hendrick joins a train-on squad of 30 which will be reduced to 18 for the trip over the Channel.

His consistent performances for the Giants and the Swifts led to his selection for training with the Kirklees Service Area camp.

Hendrick was selected to play in three games for Kirklees and scored three tries – performances that impressed enough to earn him the chance of representing Yorkshire.

He recently played for Yorkshire against Lancashire and impressed the watching England selectors – crossing the line twice and having a major hand in another touchdown.

Hendrick said: “It has always been a dream to represent my country, hopefully I have done enough to make the final 18 next month and then take on the Australian schoolboys side.”

Lindley coach Kev Bower said Swifts were offering their full support to Hendrick, and said: “Having known Sam from his days as a junior player it is great to see him finally reaching his full potential.

“We’re all confident Sam will excel in an elite environment.”