Wigan target Josh Reynolds as Bevan French returns to NRL
Rugby league’s transfer market is heating up. Wests Tigers’ utility Josh Reynolds could be on the move, while a fan favourite is on the verge of a move back to the NRL.
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Wigan’s interest in securing former NSW State of Origin half Josh Reynolds is about to intensify with former Eel Bevan French heading back home.
Reynolds has been the subject of serious interest from the UK as the Wests Tigers utility contests with a weekly logjam of halves fighting to start each week under coach Michael Maguire.
Named on the bench for the second time in consecutive weeks against the Roosters on Saturday night, Reynolds has played five games at five-eighth and two at halfback this season as Maguire struggles to settle on his preferred halves combination.
Reynolds is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2021.
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But with fellow halves and hookers including Luke Brooks, Benji Marshall, Harry Grant and the emergence of Billy Walters this year, it’s understood the Tigers are willing to let Reynolds go to secure a longer-term deal elsewhere.
An opportunity for Reynolds — who has played 158 NRL matches and won the 2014 State of Origin shield with NSW — to extend his career in England could gather momentum with English powerhouse Wigan needing a replacement in the halves.
The Sunday Telegraph has learned French, the former Eels flyer, has knocked back a contract offer from Wigan for 2021, to instead embark on a comeback mission in the NRL.
He is yet to secure an NRL contract, but will attract interest as a genuine attacking threat.
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A brilliant mover, French has been widely tipped to win the prestigious Man of Steel Award. He has been starting at five-eighth in front of former NRL player Jackson Hastings.
Former Souths prop George Burgess is also at Wigan.
French, 24, leads the English Super League for tackle busts (54) and is currently second in the premiership for tries scored (7).
Coach Adrian Lam has used French at both five-eighth, fullback and wing — where he predominantly played for Parramatta.
He moved to the UK after 47 appearances with the Eels, his last NRL match being in 2018.
Wigan offered French an upgrade and extension on his current contract for next season.
But he has formally rejected the offer with management granting the flyer an opportunity to reboot his career in the NRL.