Steve Borthwick has plenty to think about after five England hopefuls made their mark during a dramatic weekend of European rugby.

It was a tough weekend for English clubs, but several young players gave England fans reasons to be cheerful.

From a stunning hat-trick against Toulouse to a match-winning display at Franklin's Gardens, these five players caught the eye.

Some are pushing for an immediate England opportunity. Others could become serious contenders over the next few years.

1. George Hendy (Northampton Saints)

George Hendy is making it increasingly difficult for Steve Borthwick to ignore him.

The uncapped back-three star produced a superb display as Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 on Sunday.

Hendy scored a crucial second-half try, helped create James Pater's opener and produced a stunning recovery tackle to deny Josh Adams.

That final contribution was arguably his most impressive.

With Cardiff threatening to fight back, Hendy showed remarkable pace to stop the Wales international from scoring.

His attacking talent has never been in doubt. However, his defensive work could be what takes him to the next level.

RUCK verdict: Hendy looks ready for a closer look. England have serious depth out wide, with Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso among the leading options. However, Hendy's ability to change a game makes him an exciting alternative.

2. Zack Wimbush (Exeter Chiefs)

Scoring a hat-trick against Toulouse is one way to get yourself noticed.

Zack Wimbush was outstanding despite Exeter Chiefs suffering a heartbreaking 43-40 defeat in France.

The young back crossed three times against one of Europe's biggest clubs, opening his account inside the first minute.

Exeter came agonisingly close to a famous victory, but Henry Slade missed a late penalty that would have secured a draw.

Wimbush's performance was one of the biggest positives for the visitors.

He showed pace, composure and an ability to finish chances on a huge stage.

RUCK verdict: Wimbush is not suddenly going to jump ahead of England's established stars. However, a hat-trick against Toulouse is a serious statement. If he can produce that form consistently, his name will become harder to overlook.

3. Will Trenholm (Gloucester Rugby)

Will Trenholm picked the perfect occasion to make his mark.

The young Gloucester Rugby back-row scored twice after coming off the bench during Friday's thrilling 36-36 draw with Bordeaux.

Facing the defending European champions, Trenholm showed impressive power to cross twice at Kingsholm.

Gloucester looked set for a famous victory before the French side fought back to secure a draw.

Nevertheless, Trenholm's contribution was one of the standout stories of the evening.

England's back row is packed with quality, making it one of the hardest areas to break into.

RUCK verdict: Trenholm is a longer-term prospect rather than an obvious immediate selection. However, his ability to make an impact against elite opposition is encouraging. He has the physical tools to become a genuine contender.

4. Cadan Murley (Harlequins)

Cadan Murley sent another reminder of his finishing ability with two tries in Harlequins' 57-19 victory over Vannes.

The England international opened the scoring before grabbing his second just before half-time.

It was exactly the sort of performance he needed after a difficult start to the season for Quins.

Murley has built his reputation on sharp movement, clever positioning and ruthless finishing.

Those qualities were on show again as the London club enjoyed a comfortable European victory.

Unlike several players on this list, Murley has already represented England at senior level.

However, competition for places remains fierce.

RUCK verdict: Murley is chasing a recall rather than a first cap. His finishing ability is not in question, but he needs a sustained run of strong performances to force his way back into Borthwick's plans.

5. Arthur Green (Bath Rugby)

Arthur Green offered Bath supporters something to smile about during a disappointing evening against Montpellier.

The young number eight scored a first-half try as Bath Rugby suffered a 32-14 home defeat.

Green spotted a gap close to the line and showed impressive power to finish.

It was a promising moment in a match that eventually slipped away from the Premiership champions.

England already have plenty of options in the back row, but Green is still at an early stage of his development.

His challenge now is to build on these performances and establish himself at club level.

RUCK verdict: Green is one for the future. A single try will not put him into England contention overnight, but his potential is clear. Regular opportunities at Bath could help him take the next step.

Select your England XV:

Who deserves an England call-up?

Of the five players, George Hendy made the strongest case this weekend.

His performance against Cardiff was about much more than scoring a try. He delivered at both ends of the pitch when Northampton needed him most.

Wimbush also deserves huge credit for his hat-trick against Toulouse, while Trenholm showed why Gloucester supporters are excited about his future.

Borthwick cannot select everyone, but performances like these give him plenty of options.