Leeds' Hendre Fourie will go to World Cup - Neil Back

Fourie has played 19 games for Leeds this season

Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back believes Hendre Fourie will go to next year's World Cup with England.

After an impressive season the 30-year-old flanker has been heavily tipped to make his England debut during the summer tour of the Southern Hemisphere.

"I believe Hendre will go with the full England squad to Australia," Back told BBC Radio Leeds.

"If you like a bet, go and put your money on now for Hendre Fourie to be involved in the World Cup next summer."

South-African born Fourie qualifies to play for England through residency after moving to the UK with Rotherham Titans in 2005.

He represented England Saxons against Italy A in February and also trained with the full England squad in the build-up to their final two Six Nations games this season.

World Cup winning flanker Back explained: "Hendre is an example of the change in mentality and professionalism that has happened over the last two years at Leeds.

"He now knows what it is to be a professional and how to operate as a professional. That means he is now maximising his potential, which he never did in the past.

"On the back of that he is now, for me, the outstanding number seven in the Premiership.

"Because of that he has now played for the Saxons and been involved in full England training. I believe he will now go on the summer tour and go on from there with England."