Super League stint has Bevan French ready for a return to the NRL

In 2019 Bevan French was playing for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup, now he’s the reigning Man of Steel and, having mastered a new position, is being tipped for a return to Australia.

Bevan French has reinvented himself into a half while at Wigan. Picture: Getty Images

It’s only a matter of time before Bevan French will be back in the NRL.

That’s the opinion of Penrith recruit Brad Schneider, whose fairytale run in England last year ended one game short of a grand final at the hands of French and the Wigan Warriors.

Now French looms as the man the Panthers must stop to claim their first World Club Challenge title, which has eluded the three-time reigning NRL premiers in three attempts.

“He’s a skilful player, a very exciting player that everyone loves to watch,” Schneider said.

“He’s very talented at what he is. Very off the cuff, plays what he sees, a bit hard to predict what he’s going to do because you never know what he’s going to do.

“I bet half the time he doesn’t know what he’s going to do.”

Bevan French has scored over 70 tries for the Wigan Warriors. Picture: Getty Images

French has previously been linked with a return to Parramatta, where he played from 2016-18, and who have been open about strengthening their roster with some x-factor.

And that’s what the reigning Man of Steel has in bucketloads, having spearheaded the Warriors to their Super League triumph over Catalans last year.

Renowned for his tryscoring prowess in his time in Australia, the 28-year-old has scored a remarkable 73 tries in 82 Super League games across his five seasons in England.

But it’s his transformation into a halfback that could tempt some clubs back home.

“I reckon he’d give it a good crack. I reckon especially over here, he’s killing it over here, it wouldn’t be hard for him to find a spot back in the NRL,” Schneider said.

Bevan French was playing for the Wentworthville Magpies before his departure to the Super League. Picture: Parramatta Eels

The Panthers signing was himself having a dream run with Hull KR, which came to an abrupt end when they were thrashed by Wigan at the semi-final stage last year.

He warned Penrith about the dangers of starting slow on Saturday, as they did in the corresponding loss to St Helens last year.

“They’re a quality side. Straight away out of the block, we had an awful 10 minutes,” he said.

“It’s just trying to put them in a cycle, end-to-end footy.

“It’s building fatigue into them rather than let them have all the ball. If they have the ball for a long period of time, they’ll punish you for it.”

Schneider arrives at Penrith as the back-up playmaker, replacing Jack Cogger, who also had a stint in England before reigniting his career with a premiership.

Cogger was rewarded with a three-year deal at Newcastle.

“Coming over to England was one of the best things that happened to me. I’ve learnt so much just in the couple of months I was here. I definitely recommend it for young halves,” he said.

“As a player I’ve grown a lot, especially being so young. I’d 100 per cent recommend it.”

Originally published as Super League stint has Bevan French ready for a return to the NRL