Ollie Hassell-Collins' ability to bring the best out of his team-mates will command England’s attention, believes Declan Kidney.
Hassell-Collins starred again as London Irish claimed just their second Gallagher Premiership win of the season in defeating Newcastle 39-17 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The 23-year-old wing flicked a pass out of a tackle to send Paddy Jackson home for a try, before blasting a 50-22 that set the platform for Adam Coleman’s score.
Exiles rugby director Kidney knows all about making the Test-match grade from his five-year stint as Ireland boss, and cited Hassell-Collins' increasingly rounded approach as vital to any international ambitions.
Hassell-Collins has twice featured in senior England squads but remains uncapped, despite continued league-level excellence.
“I’m not going to try and propel any of the lads, and put pressure on England for any of those situations,” said Kidney.
“But I’m absolutely sure that’s when you’re dealing with the coaches of Test calibre, they are the bits they spot now more than ever.
“So all he can do is keep doing them, week-in, week-out, there’s a lot of competition for places, but if he does that, who’s to know what doors will open for him.”
Irish racked up five tries in their bonus-point victory, with Kidney hailing a timely morale boost after a string of narrow losses.
“That’s the credit to them continuing their belief in themselves, we didn’t go too down on ourselves in the last few weeks and I don’t think we’ll go too high on ourselves now,” said Kidney.
“We know where we need to be better. We know Montpellier will come with a completely different skill-set and we’ll have to get ourselves ready for that. But just for today, for the whole organisation and the supporters, I’m just delighted.”
