Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Ian Chadband

French implored by fans to stay at Wigan

Bevan French, tipped to return to the NRL, will make the decision soon over his rugby league future. (AAP)

Bevan French is being implored to stay in British rugby league after his record-breaking exploits for Wigan - but the Australian flyer is weighing up whether to transport his searing talent back to the NRL.

The former Parramatta Eels speedster has again been the talk of the Super League after his landmark seven-try haul for the Warriors in the 60-0 hammering of Hull.

The 26-year-old's astonishing performance broke the record of six tries scored by Lesley Vainikolo for Bradford against Hull back in 2005 and had Wigan's fans chanting at the DW Stadium, 'Bevan French, we want you to stay!'.

The supporters' pleas came amid speculation that French, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is ready to move back to Australia where he scored 35 tries in 47 appearances for the Eels.

French told reporters after his seven tries - he might have reached double figures if he hadn't been rested after less than an hour - that he hoped his contract situation at Wigan "will be decided in the very near future".

"There are only eight or nine games left and I want to try and sort that out as soon as I can," he added.

"I've taken a back step with that and let my manager take control of the reins really. I'm sure he will do what's best for me and we'll go from there."

French has rediscovered his brilliant best after a traumatic start to 2022 when he returned home to Australia to help care for his mother, who died after an illness.

But he was left emotional by other members of his family being able to come to England and watch him score four tries in the first half and three more early in the second on Friday.

"To do it at the DW and have some family here to see it is something I will cherish forever," he said.

"My step-dad and my uncle were here and to get the opportunity to come to a country they have never been too before, the whole experience has been amazing for them."

At Wigan, French has formed a devastating partnership with another jet-heeled ex-Eel, Jai Field, who's leading the Man of Steel standings for Super League player of the season along with Huddersfield's former New Zealand Warriors' star Tui Lolohea.

French has now scored a league-leading 20 tries this season, with Field second on the list with 17 but Wigan are still chasing St Helens in second place in the Super League.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.