NRL signing news: Eels in shock talks with Bevan French, Dragons sign Sydney Roosters prop Poasa Faamausili
Clint Gutherson should watch his back. The Parramatta Eels are in shock talks with a tryscoring freak capable of playing just about every position in the backline.
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Parramatta is in secret talks with speedster Bevan French to make a shock NRL return next season, and you won’t believe the talk about what position he might slot back into.
French is currently playing with Wigan in the Super League but has been in discussions with his former club.
Canterbury has also been mentioned as a possible destination.
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At this point it is unlikely French will end up at the Bulldogs, whose top priority right now is signing Kyle Flanagan.
But Parramatta’s interest is genuine and comes on the back of utility speedster Jai Field’s exit to take up a spot at Wigan.
While French could also potentially fill the role Field played as a back-up for the halves, there is talk in rugby league circles that coach Brad Arthur could have some other bigger plans for French that would shock everyone.
It’s no secret French’s favoured position is fullback.
Given you wouldn’t think French would want to return to play reserve grade, or as back up for starting wingers Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson, another left field suggestion has been raised.
On the surface it would seem ridiculous to even suggest moving inspirational skipper Clint Gutherson from the No. 1 jumper.
But the idea put forward might not be as far-fetched as it sounds given the drama surrounding Michael Jennings.
It’s no secret Brad Fittler is looking to play Gutherson at centre for NSW in the upcoming State of Origin series.
The talk now is that might have given the Eels something to think about.
With Jennings’ career under a huge cloud after he tested positive to two banned substances, Parramatta has also let go of Brad Takairangi for next season.
French has that sizzling speed of a Ryan Papenhuyzen and at 24 is coming into his best football years.
He has already proven prolific tryscorer, scoring 35 tries in 47 games at Parramatta while crossing for 16 tries in 23 matches at Wigan.
There is going to be huge expectation on Parramatta in 2021 after the backdoor exit from the finals.
All sorts of mad ideas have been thrown up in recent days including a potential player swap between Mitchell Moses and Mitchell Pearce.
But while that has been knocked on the head, the French talks are legitimate and ongoing.
While it is not clear what plan Arthur might have for French, his speed would be well suited to the new rule interpretations.
Salary cap pressure forces Roosters star to Dragons
The Roosters salary cap problems will force them to shed another player with impressive young prop Poasa Faamausili set to become Anthony Griffin’s first signing at St George Illawarra.
The Dragons are closing in on signing the prop to a two-year deal despite the 24-year-old having two years left on his contract. The move comes as the Roosters need to move players on to get under the salary cap next year.
Already Kyle Flanagan has been linked with a move to the Bulldogs and with Faamausili Dragons-bound, that will help alleviate some of the two-time premiers’ cap problems. It makes for a significant signing for St George Illawarra as Faamausili will be the first player Griffin has brought to the club.
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Faamausili, who has played 28 games, was also the first player to be loaned out to the Warriors earlier this year. The Dragons have also scaled back their pursuit of Josh McGuire and Jack Bird. McGuire was the club’s No.1 target but they have been unable to come to terms with the Cowboys.
They will also not pursue Brisbane’s Joe Ofahengaue. In the short-term, the Dragons are happy to wait and see what else lands in the player market and if any of the trio become available they will recommence negotiations down the track, knowing the Dragons still have some cash to splash. The Dragons wanted both Faamausili and McGuire.
Meanwhile, Griffin addressed the playing group for the first time last Wednesday. Skipper Cameron McInnes said it was a frank conversation.
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“His message was we will start from scratch,” McInnes said. “What’s happened, has happened. He will measure us on how we are going forward.
“Because of Origin, I’ll be back a bit latter than the other boys, so I won’t have the opportunity to be there from day dot.
“I’ll take the time to make sure I’m in the loop about what his messages are.”
Originally published as NRL signing news: Eels in shock talks with Bevan French, Dragons sign Sydney Roosters prop Poasa Faamausili