Bevan French

Renowned for his electric pace and dancing feet, Bevan French can play a variety of positions in the backline and in the halves.

Born in Tingha, New South Wales, French is of Indigenous Australian descent and played his junior rugby league for Tingha Tigers RLFC. He is the nephew of former Australian international and St George Illawarra Dragons and Hull FC winger Nathan Blacklock.

A noted finisher, French made 47 appearances for Parramatta Eels since his debut in May 2016 and scored 35 tries overall. The Australian back also represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2017.

He joined Wigan halfway through the 2019 season after being granted a release from Parramatta. French made his debut for Wigan as he came off the bench in the 36-18 win over Hull KR at the DW Stadium on 9th August and scored a try on his first start for the Club a week later in the victory against Warrington Wolves. He went on to play eight times for the Warriors in 2019 and scored six tries.

French became top try scorer for Wigan in the 2020 season, touching down 17 tries in 21 games in all competitions and alongside fellow Warrior Liam Farrell, he was named in the 2020 Betfred Super League Dream Team at full back.

The Australian helped Wigan to secure silverware in 2020, clinching the League Leaders’ Shield following a win in the final regular season round over Huddersfield Giants and after an outstanding 2020 season, French was also  awarded Players’ Player of the Year and Player of the Year in the Club’s End of Season Awards.

He was also named the Rugby League Writers’ and Broadcasters’ Association Player of the Year for 2020 and shortlisted for the 2020 Steve Prescott Man of Steel.

French suffered a season ending hamstring injury in May 2021 and returned home to Australia to complete rehabilitation before exercising his additional year option, returning to the Warriors for pre-season ahead of the 2022 season.

French set a new Super League record as he scored seven tries in a single match against Hull FC in July 2022 and his fantastic work in the 2022 season saw him selected in the Super League Dream Team for a second time in his career. The outside back received the Top Try Scorer award at the 2022 Super League awards as he finished the year with 31 tries.

In 2023, French was an ever-present, playing in all 32 available matches across the year. Starting the year on the wing, French then filled in at full-back following an injury to Jai Field before finishing the season off in the halves alongside Harry Smith. He crossed for 19 tries in 2023, and was named in the Super League Dream Team for a third time, in a third different position – this time at Stand Off.

Bevan French was named Man of Steel in 2023, after an exceptional year for the Warriors. He lifted the League Leaders’ Shield for a second time with the Club, whilst also securing his first Super League Grand Final victory.

French received the Bill Ashurst Medal for Betfred Player of the Match in the 2024 Betfred World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers