French: Players all excited

• Wigan Warriors full-back Bevan French looks ahead to Friday’s clash with Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium.
• French: “It was a disappointing result, but we are all excited to get back out there on Friday.”
• Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos, Friday 12th May, 8pm K.O. Get your tickets HERE.

Bevan French says the players are ‘excited’ to be back at the DW Stadium ahead of Friday night’s clash with Leeds Rhinos.

The Warriors are back on home soil in Round 12, as they aim to bounce back from a 14-10 defeat to Hull FC last time out.

Reflecting on the loss, French said: “This week hasn’t been a crisis meeting, but there were a few obvious lessons we had to learn. Intent was the main one we have spoken about, as well as some basics we need to take into this game. It was a disappointing result, but we are all excited to get back out there on Friday.”

Wigan host Leeds under the lights, and while French knows the threat Rhinos pose, he is confident the Warriors can get back on track with two points: “We know Leeds are a quality side and that with the style of play they have, we need to be on our game for the full 80 minutes. It will be a tough test, but everyone is looking forward to it especially after a loss.

“We have belief in ourselves, it’s just whether we have learnt the things we have spoken about this week. If we can go out there and do those things well, then I’m confident we can get the win.”

As the Super League season approaches the half-way mark, Wigan find themselves two points off top spot. French revealed he is pleased with the campaign so far, as well as the character the side have shown: “I’m really happy with where we are sitting near the half-way mark and how we have been winning games with everything that has gone on. We have won a lot of games the gritty way and haven’t really been able to express ourselves the way we have wanted to due to a lot of injuries in key positions.”

French added: “Once the summer starts to come around, and players start to come back, we will be able to showcase more of the style we had last season. It is exciting, but it is also exciting that we have won matches in other ways than what we are used to. It shows our character and that we have two sides to us – the tough, gritty way that we can grind out a win but also that we can throw the ball around more.”

Friday’s fixture will be the last at the DW Stadium until Wigan host Huddersfield Giants on the 30th June – due to Magic Weekend falling in between three away matches. Speaking on the importance of home support, French said: “Everyone loves playing at home and it’s the last Friday night match at the DW for quite a while so it should be good.

“Playing at home gives everyone a little extra boost and everyone is excited to be back in front of our fans who are the best in the competition.”

Join us at the DW Stadium this Friday night as we take on Leeds Rhinos in the Betfred Super League (8pm K.O.) with tickets available HERE.